Misbar’s Analysis
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in a televised speech that the Russian army attacked Ukraine on November 21 using the hypersonic ballistic missile, named the Oreshnik missile, for the first time.
Putin also warned about using the Oreshnik missile to target Western countries that have supported Ukraine and allowed it to use their longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia, the Associated Press reported.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for almost three years since President Putin announced on February 24, 2022, a “special military operation” against Kyiv.
What Is Russia’s Oreshnik Missile?
Oreshnik, which means “hazelnut tree” in Russian, is one of Russia’s most recent intermediate-range missiles.
Reuters reported that the Russian army used the Oreshnik missile to target a defense enterprise in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine.
According to Putin’s statement, the Oreshnik missile travels at 10 times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept or destroy.
Why Did Russia Use the Oreshnik Missile?
According to Reuters, Russia used the Oreshnik missile in its war with Ukraine in response to the use of American and British long-range weapons to strike Russian territory.
Vladimir Putin said during his speech on using the Oreshnik missile: “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow the use of their weapons against our facilities.”
What Are the Capabilities of the Oreshnik Missile?
Russian media said the Oreshnik missile’s range is 5,000 km (3,100 miles), allowing Moscow to reach most of Europe and the western part of the U.S.
On the other hand, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said the Oreshnik missile is capable of hitting targets in Europe within minutes.
Medvedev further revealed that the Oreshnik missile could cause “catastrophic” damage, adding that it could even break through “bomb shelters.” The Russian president also stressed that the new missile could penetrate up to three, four, or even more floors underground.
What Did Ukraine Say About the Oreshnik Missile?
According to the Associated Press, the Oreshnik missile consists of six warheads, each carrying six submunitions.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate suggested that the Oreshnik missile’s name could be inspired by its payload of independently targetable warheads, which resemble a cluster of hazelnuts growing on a tree.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's use of the Oreshnik missile, calling it a "clear and severe escalation." He also urged the international community to denounce it.
Were Ukraine and the U.S. Informed Before the Attack?
Reuters cited a U.S. official, who refused to reveal his identity, as saying that Russia notified the U.S. government shortly before the November 21 strike about using the Oreshnik missile.
Meanwhile, another source confirmed that the U.S. had informed Ukraine and its allies to be ready for the attack, which involved such advanced technology.
When Did Ukraine Get Permission To Use Long-Range Missiles Against Russia?
Ukraine was permitted to use U.S. long-range missiles in its war with Russia for the first time since the conflict began on November 18, 2024.
U.S. President Joe Biden lifted restrictions on Kyiv regarding the use of long-range missiles in its war with Russia, which began over two years ago.
Why Did the U.S. Allow Ukraine To Use Long-Range Missiles Against Russia?
he U.S. decision was made after the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, which was invaded by Ukrainian forces in August, Al Jazeera reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pressing his Western allies, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom, for months to allow missiles to be used against Russia as Moscow’s forces have been making slow but steady gains in eastern Ukraine.
How Did North Korea Get Involved in the Russia-Ukraine War?
The U.S. first suggested that North Korea had sent at least 3,000 soldiers to train and fight alongside Moscow in its ongoing war with Ukraine. However, in late October, the Pentagon raised its estimate of the number of North Korean troops sent by Kim Jong-Un to about 100,000 soldiers, Al Jazeera reported, citing Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh.
How Much of Ukraine Does Russia Occupy?
According to a POLITICO report, Russia currently occupies about 18% of Ukrainian territory (an estimated 111,677 square kilometers). This includes Crimea and parts of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine that Moscow has controlled since 2014, according to the Ukrainian monitoring project DeepState.
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