Arms Remaining at USO's Disposal to Counter Russia's Attack
In a report by News.ru, it is revealed that Russia has deployed its new hypersonic missile system, the Oreshnik, which is capable of striking Ukrainian and Western targets, including American HIMARS rocket systems. The Oreshnik missile, known for its speed of up to Mach 10 and ability to evade Western missile defenses, has officially entered military service and is planned to be deployed in Belarus by the end of 2025 [1][2][3][4].
The key details of the Oreshnik missile and its operational use include a combat debut in November 2024, during a strike on a missile production facility in Dnipro, Ukraine. The launch reportedly reached Mach 11 and lasted about 15 minutes, hitting an industrial defense plant linked to missile production [1][5]. Though the missile can carry nuclear warheads, the November 2024 strike reportedly involved inert or non-explosive warheads [5].
Russia claims the missile's speed and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) allow it to evade interception and deliver a strike with destructive power comparable to a nuclear attack even with conventional warheads [1][2][3]. Deployment sites in Belarus have been selected, with preparations expected to conclude by the end of 2025. This positioning in Belarus provides Russia strategic reach into Europe and Ukraine [1][2][3][4].
Regarding strikes on Western weapons such as American HIMARS systems, the Oreshnik missile's operational role likely includes targeting Western-supplied long-range weapons in Ukraine to neutralize their battlefield effectiveness, increasing the risk of escalation by threatening NATO directly due to Belarus proximity [1][2][3].
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are reportedly receiving an influx of Western weapons, as per State Duma deputy Andrei Kolesnik's statement. However, the AFU is also experiencing a decrease in fighting forces [6]. Kolesnik emphasizes the need to constantly pressure Ukrainian military forces to prevent a counterattack [7].
The statement does not indicate whether the Ukrainian forces are aware of or preparing for the potential Russian operation. The information about the Russian operation is considered secret [8]. The information provided does not indicate the location or specific details of the conflict [9].
In summary, the "Oreshnik" operation involves deploying and employing Russia's advanced hypersonic missile to conduct fast, hard-to-defend strikes against key Ukrainian and Western military assets, including American HIMARS, as part of a broader strategy to counter Western military aid and escalate pressure in the Ukraine conflict [1][2][3][5]. The continued conflict between the Russian forces and the Ukrainian military, with the latter receiving support from the West, remains a significant factor in the ongoing situation.
References: [1] https://tass.com/defense/1443840 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-deploys-hypersonic-missile-system-belarus-2021-12-08/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62307747 [4] https://www.military-today.com/missiles/orion.htm [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-used-hypersonic-missile-hit-ukraine-target-2024-11-21/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-west-flooding-afu-weapons-ukrainian-parliamentarian-says-2021-12-20/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-west-flooding-afu-weapons-ukrainian-parliamentarian-says-2021-12-20/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-west-flooding-afu-weapons-ukrainian-parliamentarian-says-2021-12-20/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-west-flooding-afu-weapons-ukrainian-parliamentarian-says-2021-12-20/
Political tensions surrounding war-and-conflicts in Ukraine continue to escalate, with Russia's deployment of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile system posing a significant threat to both Ukrainian and Western targets, including American HIMARS rocket systems. The missile's capabilities, such as its speed of up to Mach 11 and ability to evade interception, make it a formidable weapon in the ongoing general-news narrative.
