In a bold and provocative move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an extraordinary challenge to NATO and the West, particularly the US. This time, it’s not just about words; it’s a high-tech duel—Russia’s cutting-edge Oreshnik missile versus the West’s missile defense systems.
Is this a demonstration of confidence or an escalation in the standoff between East and West? Let’s break it down. During his annual news conference in Moscow, Putin made a very bizarre, but daring statement: Select a target in Kyiv. Concentrate all air and missile defense systems there. Russia will strike with the Oreshnik missile, a weapon Putin claims is unstoppable.”
In his words: “We are ready for such an experiment. Is the other side ready?” “We are willing to conduct this experiment; what about the other side, are they?”
So, what exactly is the Oreshnik missile that Putin hails so much, and why does he believe it’s unrivaled? Let’s look at the stats:
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The Oreshnik has a;
- Speed: Capable of exceeding Mach 10, that’s over twelve thousand, three hundred kilometers per hour. 12,300 km/h.
- Range: It can travel up to five thousand and five hundred kilometers, placing it in the intermediate-range ballistic missile category.
- Warheads: Equipped with a Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle, or MIRV, the missile can deploy six warheads—each with six submunitions.
- Damage Potential: With thermal impacts reaching four thousand degrees Celsius, the Oreshnik can vaporize concrete and melt steel beams. And yes, it’s both nuclear and non-nuclear capable, meaning, it can carry nuclear warheads as well as non-nuclear.
Russia first used the “Oreshnik”, in a strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Nov. 21. Putin claimed the attack was retaliation for the use of Western-supplied ATACMS missiles on Russian territory.
Putin claims that Russia has already started serial production of the Oreshnik, reportedly manufacturing up to 25 missiles per month. That’s 300 missiles annually. This could drastically enhance Russia’s strike capabilities, particularly in a global context where missile defense systems have struggled against increasingly sophisticated threats.
The Oreshnik is undoubtedly a sophisticated weapon. Its speed, range, and MIRV capabilities make it a challenge for current missile defense systems. However, some of its technology might be derived from older platforms like the RS-26 Rubezh, which suggests it’s not as revolutionary as Russia claims. Still, it’s a wake-up call for Western defenses.
So, how should NATO and the US respond to such a public and direct challenge?
Already, The US Department of Defense and the Pentagon, together with other Werstern experts view the Oreshnik as an experimental weapon with limited availability and minimal strategic impact.
U.S. officials see it more as an attempt at intimidation than a game-changer on the battlefield in Ukraine. In a press Conference to Sabrina Singh, Deputy Press Secretary of the Department of Defense said: “it’s not going to be a game changer on the battlefield,” well Sabrina, the West should be worried about this new missile.
So, Should this challenge be accepted by the US?
This is as much about geopolitics as it is about technology. Accepting the challenge could escalate tensions and play into Putin’s narrative of Russian superiority.
On the other hand, ignoring it might embolden Moscow. NATO will likely focus on strengthening existing defenses rather than engaging in a high-stakes public duel. This challenge comes at a critical time, with tensions already high over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increasing military posturing on both sides.
