‘Terribly destructive’: what is known about Putin’s hypersonic missile

According to Putin, the Oreshnik, which means “hazelnut” in Russian, can reach speeds of up to 12,350 km/h. The Arms Control Association explains that the missile has a range of between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers, with a margin of error of around 150 meters in relation to the target.

Massive use of this missile “would be comparable to the use of a nuclear weapon”. A statement was given by the commander of the Russian strategic missile forces, Sergei Karakayev, in a meeting with military officials broadcast on television.

Karakayev explained that Oreshnik was developed on Putin’s orders. It is based on the Russian RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile model. Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed this information to the press.

Military expert Ian Matveyev stated that the Oreshnik is a rather expensive weapon and not produced on a large scale. He also highlighted that the missile can carry an explosive payload of “several tons.”

Putin compared the Oreshnik’s destructive power to that of a nuclear weapon, stating that it would “atomize” everything at the point of impact. However, the Russian president stressed that the missile does not carry a nuclear warhead or spread radioactive contamination.

According to Putin, the Oreshnik firing was a test under combat conditions, which indicates that the projectile is still in the development phase. The head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirilo Budanov, revealed that Oreshnik is the name of the project, while the system itself is known as “Kedr”.