Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday that the country would continue testing its new hypersonic missile, named Oreshnik (hazel tree), in active combat conditions. This declaration came just a day after Russia deployed the missile for the first time in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the war.
The missile, categorized as an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon, has a reported range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers. It carries multiple warheads capable of striking separate targets simultaneously—technology typically associated with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). According to Ukrainian officials, the missile reached a top speed of over 13,000 kilometers per hour and required only 15 minutes to hit its target after being launched.
President Putin described the deployment as a “successful test” and emphasized the readiness of Russia’s missile stockpile. “We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia,” he stated during a televised address to defense officials and missile developers.
Putin also claimed the missile’s performance rendered it effectively invulnerable to interception by existing defense systems. “I will add that there is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today,” he said.
Despite Putin’s confidence, a U.S. official suggested that the weapon was still experimental and that Russia had only a limited number of them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has labeled the missile’s deployment an escalation of the war. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskyy denounced Russia’s use of Ukraine as a testing ground for new weapons, calling it an “international crime.”
The Ukrainian leader assured his citizens that Kyiv was working with its Western allies to strengthen air defenses and develop countermeasures. “The Minister of Defence of Ukraine is already holding meetings with our partners regarding new air defense systems capable of protecting lives from new risks,” Zelenskyy said.
He further urged Ukrainians to remain vigilant, warning of further attempts by Russia to intimidate the nation. “We must be aware that ‘comrade’ Putin will keep trying to intimidate us. That is how he built all his power,” he added.
Western nations, including the United States and Britain, have previously supplied Ukraine with advanced missile systems, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow. Russia has accused these countries of enabling Ukraine to target Russian territory, thereby escalating the conflict and increasing the risk of a broader confrontation.
The Oreshnik missile represents a significant advancement in Russia’s military capabilities. Security experts note its novel ability to carry multiple warheads, enabling simultaneous strikes on different targets. This feature is particularly alarming as it broadens the scope of potential attacks, allowing Russia to deliver precise and devastating strikes over a wide area.
While the missile was armed with conventional warheads during its first deployment, Putin highlighted its devastating power, suggesting that its accuracy and striking force were comparable to strategic nuclear weapons. He also hinted at the possibility of mass deployment, stating that the missile’s impact would be amplified when used “in a massive group and in combination with other high-precision long-range systems.”
The Kremlin has portrayed the missile test as a warning to the West, accusing the United States and its allies of “reckless” actions in their support for Ukraine. Putin’s remarks underscored the need to establish serial production of the missile, signaling that Russia intends to expand its stockpile.
The missile’s deployment is part of a broader escalation in hostilities. Earlier in the week, Putin approved changes to Russia’s nuclear policy, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in response to attacks with conventional arms. This policy shift has alarmed Western governments, who fear it could increase the likelihood of a nuclear confrontation.
Moscow’s decision to deploy the Oreshnik missile appears to be a direct response to Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory. The Kremlin has consistently framed such actions as evidence of direct Western involvement in the conflict, a claim the United States and its allies deny.
In Washington, officials are monitoring the situation closely. While the missile’s initial use appears limited, the introduction of a weapon with such capabilities raises concerns about the potential for further escalation and the destabilization of European security.
The Oreshnik missile underscores the growing importance of hypersonic technology in modern warfare. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5, are difficult to intercept due to their speed, maneuverability, and unpredictable flight paths. This makes them a potent tool for nations seeking to bypass traditional missile defense systems.
For Russia, the development of the Oreshnik reflects its broader military strategy of leveraging advanced technology to offset perceived disadvantages in conventional warfare. By investing in weapons that challenge existing defense paradigms, Moscow aims to bolster its strategic position and deter Western intervention.
However, the deployment of such weapons also highlights the risks of arms races and technological proliferation. As countries scramble to develop their own hypersonic capabilities or countermeasures, the likelihood of miscalculation or unintended escalation grows.
The first use of the Oreshnik missile marks a turning point in the Ukraine conflict, introducing a new dimension of technological and strategic competition. For Ukraine, the challenge lies in securing the advanced air defenses needed to counter the missile’s capabilities. For Western nations, the task is to balance support for Ukraine with efforts to avoid direct confrontation with Russia.
