The Oreshnik ballistic missile: Almost impossible to intercept and designed by Russia for an atomic war

"The Oreshnik, a medium-range (non-intercontinental) ballistic missile that flies at hypersonic speed and is designed for nuclear warfare scenarios, has been deployed again by Russia in its latest offensive against Ukraine. The missile reaches a suborbital altitude and can carry up to six warheads, either nuclear or conventional. Its high speed and the very short time frame for attack make it extremely difficult for air defense systems to intercept."

"The Oreshnik is notable for its multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV). Unlike a conventional missile that impacts with a single projectile, the Oreshnik's body fragments in the final phase of its trajectory, releasing multiple warheads that fall simultaneously on the target. Its warheads enter the atmosphere at a higher speed than other, less modern rockets, meaning their impact could destroy underground bunkers simply through the force of the shock, without the need for a massive explosive payload."

"On Thursday night, Russian forces launched the Oreshnik missile, along with 35 other missiles and 242 drones, against the Lviv province of Ukraine, which borders Poland. The weapon had previously been used in November 2024 against the Dnipropetrovsk region. Its deployment violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a key agreement to limit nuclear escalation from which the United States and Russia withdrew in 2019."

The Oreshnik is a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile capable of suborbital flight and carrying up to six nuclear or conventional warheads. The missile uses multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) that fragment in the terminal phase to release several warheads simultaneously. Warheads enter the atmosphere at higher speeds than older rockets, enabling destructive shock effects against underground bunkers without massive explosive yields. Russia launched the Oreshnik alongside dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones against Lviv province and previously used it in November 2024 in Dnipropetrovsk. Deployment breaches the INF Treaty, and Western intelligence sees it as a modification of an earlier model.

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