Russia Claims Interception Impossible: A Primer on the Hypersonic 'Oreshnik' Missile

Moscow, May 24 (CNA) - Russia used its new 'Oreshnik' (Hazel) ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, three times during massive air strikes against Ukraine early today. According to the Kremlin, this advanced missile is "impossible" for modern air defense systems to intercept. AFP reported that the Ukrainian military stated the medium-range missile struck an undisclosed location in Bila Tserkva, a town in the greater Kyiv region, today. The missile was first used in 2024 to strike a factory in Dnipro, and in early January this year, it hit a large gas storage facility in the Lviv region. This is the third time it has been used, and none of the attacks carried nuclear warheads. Regarding range, Russia states that the Oreshnik is a medium-range missile with a range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers, capable of striking targets across "all of Europe." Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that the missile has been deployed in his country. Regarding power, Putin stated in 2024 that the Oreshnik is equipped with "dozens of guided warheads." Military experts say it could be modified to carry nuclear warheads. Putin claimed the high temperatures reached by the missile's destructive material approach the surface temperature of the sun, turning everything at the epicenter into dust. Regarding speed, Putin claims it is impossible to intercept, striking at Mach 10, or 2.5 to 3 kilometers per second. Experts note that while it flies at hypersonic speeds, it lacks the ability to maneuver like typical hypersonic missiles. Regarding its origin, Putin stated in 2024 that the Oreshnik is "not a modernized version of an old Soviet system" but a "modern, state-of-the-art" piece of equipment. The US Department of Defense describes the Oreshnik as an "experimental" missile developed based on Russia's RS-26 ICBM.