Oleshnik Abilities: Speed and Accuracy
The Oleshnik missile is a state-of-the-art intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that is said to fly at speeds of up to Mach 11 (more than 10 times the speed of sound). According to General Sergei Karakaev, commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, it has enough range to hit any target in Europe. The missile’s multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) configuration allows it to carry six warheads, each releasing six submunitions. This setup gives you the ability to target multiple sites simultaneously with devastating accuracy.
Its destructive potential lies not only in its explosive payload, but also in its kinetic energy. Video footage of the Dnipro attack showed the warhead’s violent descent, causing a significant shock wave, despite reports that the warhead was not loaded with explosives. Ukrainian authorities said the missile was fired from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site near the Caspian Sea.
First use in Ukraine: warning to the West
The Kremlin described the Dnipro attack as a “warning” to the West after the United States and Britain authorized Ukraine to launch missiles into Russian territory. The missile struck a defense factory in Dnipropetrovsk, but Ukrainian authorities said damage and casualties were limited. Ukrainian Defense Ministry officials said the missile’s submunitions appeared to be unarmed and were likely intended as a show of force.
“We are acting very carefully, even with restraint, in all directions,” Putin said at a news conference, often linking such attacks to broader geopolitical tensions. Russian state-run journalist Marina Akhmedova reiterated the Kremlin’s position, warning: “If NATO ballistic missiles fly from Ukraine to Russia, Ukraine will be destroyed first.”
What are Russia’s other hypersonic missiles
The Oreshnik is a variant of the RS-26 Lubezh, reportedly incorporating parts from the Bulava missile developed in the 1990s. Their hypersonic speed, in-flight maneuverability, and multiple warheads make them particularly difficult to intercept, even with advanced missile defense systems. Russia’s use of advanced missile technology is not new. Over the course of the Ukraine conflict, it has deployed subsonic cruise missiles, Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, each with varying degrees of success. However, none have the range, speed, and payload capabilities of the Oleshnik. Hypersonic missiles have caused global concern due to their accuracy and ability to evade conventional missile defense systems. The United States and Russia withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019, further accelerating the development of these weapons.
Russia’s latest nuclear doctrine, signed by President Putin in November, lowers the standards for nuclear retaliation. Currently, a nuclear response to a major conventional attack against Russia or its allies is authorized. “This will ensure that potential adversaries understand the necessity of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies,” the doctrine states.
This theory is consistent with Putin’s assertion that conventional missiles like Oleshnik could have as much impact as a nuclear attack. The Kremlin claims this will provide a credible deterrent against NATO’s growing involvement in Ukraine. Military Watch Magazine estimated that Russia could build up to 300 Oleshnik missiles a year, which Ukrainian analysts believe is a “deliberate attempt” to spread fear in Western societies. They object to this as “false information.”
Overseas reaction: mixed reactions
Western officials remain skeptical about the missile’s impact on the battlefield. Sabrina Singh, a deputy Pentagon spokeswoman, told Newsweek that “even if Russia were to choose to launch this type of missile, it would not be game-changing on the battlefield.” Ta. This is just another attempt to cause harm and casualties to Ukraine. ” Experts like John Erath of the Center for Arms Control and Proliferation see Russia’s hypersonic development as an “intimidation tactic” aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine. .
A Royal United Services Institute commentary noted that while Oleshnik would enhance Russia’s tactical options, it would not fundamentally change the strategic balance. The commentary further emphasized that NATO and Russia are on the verge of a direct confrontation, adding that “neither side has crossed any significant red lines.”
The Oleshnik missile demonstrates Russia’s technological advances and evolving military strategy. The deployment to Ukraine is a strong demonstration of its capabilities, but the broader impact remains unclear. As tensions between Russia and NATO rise, the international community must overcome the challenges posed by hypersonic weapons and those that have the potential to reshape modern warfare.
