Tactical expert Khodarenok compares "Oreshnik" to a strategic nuclear weapon
The Russian military has reported the delivery of the first serial "Oreshnik" missile complex, a medium-range ballistic missile system with hypersonic capabilities. This development is being closely watched by military experts and analysts worldwide, as it marks a significant leap in Russia's missile technology and has potential implications for international relations.
According to military expert Dmitriy Antonov, the delivery of the "Oreshnik" complex strengthens the readiness of the Russian armed forces for actions at long ranges. The complex, which can travel up to approximately 5,500 km at speeds reaching Mach 10 to Mach 11 (~12,400 km/h to ~13,600 km/h), offers a versatile and potent strategic weapon.
The "Oreshnik" missile complex is unique due to its hypersonic speed, which allows it to evade current missile defense systems. It can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads, with the nuclear payload delivering up to 900 kilotons of explosive power, roughly equivalent to 45 Hiroshima bombs. When using non-nuclear warheads, multiple salvoes can cause damage comparable to nuclear strikes.
The key capabilities of the "Oreshnik" missile complex make it a formidable weapon. Its ability to strike targets with high accuracy and devastating power, combined with its mobility as a launch platform, increases its survivability and flexibility.
In terms of tactical nuclear weapons, the "Oreshnik" can deliver both nuclear and conventional warheads, overlapping in strategic reach but offering a non-nuclear option with nuclear-like destructive potential in massed launch scenarios. Its speed and range enable strikes deep inside NATO countries from Russian or allied territory, such as Belarus, where deployment is planned in 2025. This extends Russia’s strategic deterrence without immediate nuclear escalation.
The hypersonic nature of the "Oreshnik" challenges existing missile defenses, potentially destabilizing conventional deterrence balances. It serves as a political signal of Russia’s advanced technological capabilities and readiness to target NATO countries if they support Ukraine with longer-range missiles.
Military expert Mikhail Hodarenok has stated that President Putin's statements regarding the "Oreshnik" missile complex serve as a signal to potential adversaries of Russia. Official statements from President Putin and military officials emphasize the Oreshnik’s ability to target NATO bases and deliver overwhelming strikes, signaling Russia’s enhanced retaliatory and deterrence capacity. Deployment in Belarus and mass production announce a strategic shift in Russia’s missile forces, demonstrating a credible threat projection. The weapon’s capacity to conduct precise, high-speed strikes without nuclear payloads offers Russia leverage in escalation and conventional conflict scenarios, warning Western countries against direct intervention.
In summary, the "Oreshnik" missile complex combines hypersonic speed, extended range, and dual nuclear/conventional capabilities to provide Russia with a versatile and potent strategic weapon. Its deployment is both a technological milestone and a geopolitical message aimed at deterring NATO involvement in the Ukraine conflict while expanding Russia’s missile strike options short of full nuclear war.
The delivery of the "Oreshnik" missile complex, with its hypersonic speed and long range, has potential implications for international politics, as it could shift the balance of power and serve as a political signal of Russia's advanced technological capabilities and readiness to target NATO countries in certain situations. The complex's dual nuclear/conventional capabilities and ability to strike targets with high accuracy and devastating power make it a formidable weapon in general-news stories about global military developments.
