As global tensions simmer, Russia has issued one of the most alarming threats yet. Kremlin officials have confirmed mass production of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, and a military expert openly suggested the system could soon be used to strike Western capitals—including European Union nations and the United States.
President Vladimir Putin announced earlier this summer that serial production of the Oreshnik would proceed following its first operational deployment against Ukraine in November 2024. The missile, reportedly capable of flying over 3,400 miles at speeds exceeding Mach 10, has been hailed by Putin as “impossible to intercept” and carrying a force comparable to a nuclear weapon—though Western analysts have disputed that claim. Reuters confirmed the ramp-up.
Now, Kremlin-backed voices are pushing the rhetoric further. Captain Vasily Dandykin, a military analyst for official media, urged that “it’s time for our Oreshnik to come out on stage again,” warning that only a small number would be needed to reach EU targets and the U.S. LADbible picked up the chilling quote.
“Time for our ‘Oreshnik’ to come out on stage again”—hello WW3 alarm bells. 😱
The missile’s characteristics are daunting. According to multiple sources, the Oreshnik is an intermediate-range ballistic missile derived from the RS‑26 Rubezh platform, with at least six MIRV warheads and a top speed of Mach 10–12. It can travel up to 3,415 miles—easily reaching NATO capitals or deep into U.S. territory from Russian lands. Details on its design and payload.
Putin touted its first combat use in November 2024, when Oreshnik struck a defense plant in Dnipro, Ukraine, in what Moscow framed as a response to Western long-range missile usage inside Russian territory. Analysts say that strike—likely with inert warheads—was aimed more at political signaling than battlefield outcome. Wiki’s report on the Dnipro strike.
Western experts caution that although impressive, Oreshnik doesn’t fundamentally shift the military balance. Grace Mappes from the Institute for the Study of War described it as “an old threat made new,” noting that Russia already possesses dozens of similar IRBMs. Economic Times broke down its strategic role. RAND analyst Michael Bohnert similarly pointed out that high costs and limited payload reduce its practical impact. Business Insider scrutinized its cost & range.
Still, the timing couldn’t be more sensitive. With the Middle East crisis flaring, NATO reinforcing defenses, and Russia deploying air defenses to Belarus by late 2025, public worry over a widening conflict is growing. Reuters reported on Belarus deployment. NATO member states are holding emergency meetings, and military officials reaffirm missile defense readiness. AP News covered the urgency.
“An IRBM that can hit DC or Berlin isn’t just a threat—it’s a wake-up call.”
The Oreshnik’s launch platform adds to the tension. Thought to be road-mobile and also potentially deployable from Belarus, the system is harder to track—and would allow Russia to strike from unexpected locations. LADbible emphasised that mobility.
Meanwhile, Putin’s reference to a “duel” against U.S. missile defenses suggests a fearsome public show of power. He proposed pitting Oreshnik against U.S. systems in a test, though U.S. officials remain skeptical about its battlefield effectiveness. Business Insider examined the claim.
Strategic analysts warn the crisis is more than just weapons bragging. Deploying Oreshnik could destabilize NATO’s nuclear doctrine—especially amid Russia’s lowered threshold for tactical nuclear use, explicitly touched on with the weapon’s MIRV nuclear capability. Arms Control Center highlighted nuclear escalation risks.
The US bolstered missile defense in Eastern Europe, increasing Aegis Ashore and Patriot batteries. The EU is reviewing contingency plans and civilian warning systems due to Oreshnik’s speed and range. The Guardian noted Europe’s scramble.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is pleading with Western allies to provide enhanced early-warning radar systems—which could buy seconds of reaction time if Oreshnik were ever deployed in anger. Reuters included these defense prep notes.
Public reaction has been swift. NATO analysts say Oreshnik adds psychological pressure, even if its actual battlefield use is limited. Poland and the Baltic states are pressuring NATO HQ for a stronger military posture. Economic Times covered regional response.
In the West, think tanks like RUSI argue that Russia’s missile build-up is a warning shot—but not yet a game-changer. Budgetary costs and technical limits constrain widespread deployment. RUSI provided this analysis.
Still, the symbolic threat is powerful. A missile that can travel halfway across the world, bypass defense systems, and carry multiple warheads—even conventional—is a stark statement of intent. NATO’s strategic planners are taking it very seriously.
Younger generations may not remember the Cold War era, but this moment has resurrected deep public anxiety. Past scares—like the Cuban Missile Crisis—are being evoked as Oreshnik circles back into global headlines. The Times revisited that historic dread.
Belarus’s planned deployment by 2025 intensifies fears: adding an MILT-base with Oreshnik near NATO borders shifts the calculus. Experts say it’s both a strategic threat shift and diplomatic affront. That Reuters feature explored deployment strategy.
Diplomacy is now racing to catch up. The EU is discussing renewed INF-style arms control talks, while the U.S. has offered to reopen formal channels with Moscow. North Korea’s collaboration with Russia in anti-aircraft tech also alarms regional players. The Times flagged rising Korean threat.
Millions are now spotting Oreshnik missile coverage in mainstream outlets—not fringe security news. The chilling scenario is simple: Russia now boasts a visible, intermediate-range hypersonic missile—with experts warning it’s a volatile tool of global intimidation.
Whether it’s rhetoric or actual escalation, one fact is undeniable: the world is watching, uneasy. Moscow’s move has reignited fears that the old Cold War never truly ended—it’s simply moved into a faster, more dangerous era.
