Russia to Deploy New Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile in Belarus; Putin Says It Reduces Need for Nuclear Arms

Dec 10, 2024, 02:35 PM

Russia has reportedly used its hypersonic Oreshnik missile for the first time, with plans to deploy it in Belarus next year. The Oreshnik missile, the first of its kind developed in Russia since the 1980s, has a range of approximately 4,000 kilometers and can carry multiple independently targetable warheads. Russia is estimated to produce up to 25 Oreshnik missiles monthly, totaling around 300 missiles annually, according to Military Watch Magazine. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that a sufficient quantity of Oreshnik missiles practically eliminates the need to use nuclear weapons, emphasizing, "We are not toughening our nuclear doctrine—we are improving it." However, there has been skepticism regarding the Oreshnik missile system following its demonstrative strike.