As the tensions between Russia and Ukraine are not stopping, Russian President Vladimir Putin used a new kind of ballistic missile, Oreshnik, and struck Dnipro, Ukraine. Some senior officials have revealed that the missile caused limited damage, but Vladimir Putin has called the weapon Unstoppable because it travels at a very high speed. This is the first time in history that such a missile has been used in a battle. In light of this, Putin stated that the action was an answer to the United States and other countries who allowed Ukraine to use Western-made missiles for long-range strikes in Russia. Since then, people have been curious to know if the US should fear this new hypersonic missile or not. Let’s discuss everything related to this newly-used hypersonic missile by Russia.
Oreshnik Is A Threat To The US Because It Travels At A Speed Exceeding Mach 10
While describing this new type of missile, Vladimir Putin always has a satisfied smile on his face. The Russian President has emphasized that Oreshnik has some extraordinary characteristics which make it extremely powerful. According to the Ukrainian military, the reported speed of the intermediate-range ballistic missile is over Mach 10. Putin has described that it streaks to its target at 10 times the speed of sound and is very difficult to intercept and track.
The Oreshnik Missile Is Equipped With Six Warheads
After the new hypersonic, intermediate-range ballistic missile struck Dnipro, Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin took the step of speaking on national television about the new weapon. It was revealed that the missile has been equipped with six warheads, each reportedly containing submunitions. Each warhead is equipped with dropping smaller payloads that strike the ground. According to Reuters, when the missile hit Ukraine, the six warheads fell to the earth after they were dropped at separate targets by a component of the missile called the Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle Bus (MIRV). It is also said that before releasing the warheads, the MIRV bus orients itself with the onboard guidance system so that it can direct each of the warheads toward a particular objective. President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that the missile could be used next on them if they allowed Kyiv to use their long-range missiles.
Oreshnik Is An Application Of Old Technology Used For Many Years In The ICBM
After the new kind of missile was fired by Russia at Ukraine last week, many reports were laid out with regard to its capabilities and characteristics. Vladimir Putin came in front and hailed it as a new kind of experimental hypersonic weapon. According to six military experts, the Oreshnik missile actually uses an old technology from the intercontinental ballistic missiles or the ICBMs. The debris from the missile was examined by these experts and they saw that it dropped multiple payloads across its target area. According to them, this is a feature that is seen in the intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Oreshnik Is Impossible To Intercept Which Can Be A Threat To The US
The next reason why America should be afraid of Russia’s new hypersonic missile, Oreshnik is that it is nearly impossible to intercept. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated after striking Ukraine that the missile strikes its target like a meteorite and is immune from any missile defense system. According to him, the hypersonic missile and its warheads are impossible to intercept as they approach the target at a speed over Mach 10. However, Jeffrey Lewis, the director of Nonproliferation Studies has stated that all ballistic missiles of this range are hypersonic and there are missile interceptors that are designed to destroy them such as Arrow 3 by Israel.
The Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile Is Derived From The RS-26
After examining the images of the wreckage, several experts have stated that none of the technology used in this new missile is novel. Jeffrey Lewis has expressed that “though it is a new capability, but this is not a new capability that represents a dramatic change in the way that conventional weapons are developed.” According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missile which Vladimir Putin said struck a Ukrainian military facility, was derived from the RS-26, an intermediate-range ballistic missile. This missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead which was tested a total of 5 times but never entered into service. Also, it is examined that the new design has removed a stage of the booster from the RS-26, significantly reducing its range.
The Missile’s Warheads Lacks Explosive Materials But Destroy Targets Through Kinetic Energy
Another reason why America should be afraid of Russia’s new hypersonic missile, Oreshnik is that it doesn’t have explosive materials. But despite this, the missile could be as devastating as a nuclear strike. Senior officials of Ukraine have revealed that the missile carried no explosives, as no explosions were visible at the impact sites, but destroyed the targets through kinetic energy, just like a meteorite. However, Putin has stated that the new missile is so powerful that using such missiles, even with fitted conventional warheads, could be as destructive as a nuclear strike. The new hypersonic Oreshnik missile is capable of destroying underground bunkers or we can say three and four floors down.
Putin Described Use Of Oreshnik As A Response To US And Other Western Countries
After Russia struck Ukraine with its new hypersonic missile Oreshnik, Vladimir Putin came in front and spoke on the matter. He described that the attack was a response to the United States and other Western countries who are allowing Ukraine to use their long-range missiles to strike the territory of Russia. According to Putin, this move has given the conflict between Ukraine and Russia a global character. The Russian President has said that they have a right to use their weapons against those countries that allow the use of their weapons against Russia. Deputy head of Putin’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev has stated that the USA and other Western countries should fear this new hypersonic missile because it could reach the target in minutes and inflict severe damage. Also, Oreshnik can destroy bomb shelters that are designed for protection. Further, the use of Oreshnik was an expression of Russia’s anger and a signal to Donald Trump that Russia is going to fulfill its goals, regardless of the support for Ukraine.
The recent attack of Russia on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro has proved that Oreshnik is a threat, especially to the United States and other Western Countries. But the United States of America cannot be considered defenseless. The U.S. SM-3 Block 2A, a surface-to-air missile interceptor can be used to intercept the Oreshnik, but this is just a speculation. The country will require advanced technology to counter this new hypersonic missile which is extremely powerful. Therefore, though the new missile Oreshnik is concerning, but the United States Of America is not entirely vulnerable.
