Context
The Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile was recently reported to have been used by Russia during a large-scale strike on Kyiv.
About Oreshnik Missile
- Oreshnik is a Russian intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile based on the RS-26 Rubezh system.
- It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
- Russia reportedly deployed the missile for the first time in November 2024 against targets in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
- The missile is nearly 15–18.5 metres long and about 1.9 metres in diameter.
- It is mounted on a mobile transporter-launcher, enabling rapid deployment and concealment.
- Equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs), it can carry six to eight warheads simultaneously.
- With an estimated range of around 5,000 km, it can strike targets across Europe and even the western coast of the United States.
- Oreshnik can reportedly travel at speeds of up to Mach 10, making interception extremely difficult.
