The new Russian missile "Oreshnik" is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. However, it remains unclear what type of explosive, if any, the missile used in its strike on Dnipro.
This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing The New York Times.
According to the publication, the U.S. believes that "Oreshnik" is a modification of the Russian intercontinental ballistic missile RS-26 "Rubezh," which has been tested since 2011.
Timothy Wright, an expert from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, stated that the name "Oreshnik" likely refers to submunitions resembling clusters of nuts.
"This system has been in development for some time," said Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear non-proliferation expert from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
At the same time, Wright noted that there are some physical differences between the missile systems "Oreshnik" and "Rubezh." Debris from the impact site indicates that "Oreshnik" has a circumference of about 92 cm, while "Rubezh" measures 1 m 83 cm.
It is likely that this is because "Oreshnik" is designed for shorter-range flights compared to "Rubezh." The "Rubezh" can reach targets anywhere on Earth, while "Oreshnik" can fly approximately 5,488 km. Even this range would allow it to reach much of Europe.
Nick Brown, an analyst at the British company Janes specializing in defense intelligence, stated that "Oreshnik" is the longest-range weapon ever used in conflicts in Europe.
Experts also believe that "Rubezh" can carry up to four warheads. In the strike on Dnipro, "Oreshnik" carried six warheads, each consisting of six submunitions.
Strike on Dnipro
Last week, Russian terrorists struck Dnipro using a medium-range ballistic missile.
Dictator Putin claimed that this was the latest Russian missile, which he referred to as "Oreshnik." In his statements, he also threatened strikes on strategic targets in the U.S., the U.K., and France.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR MO), the name "Oreshnik" is merely a designation for the research program under which this weapon was developed. The missile itself is known as "Kedr."
For more details on the new Russian weaponry, read the article by RBK-Ukraine.
