Putin’s new hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’ missile may be unstoppable for Ukraine

‘I thought it was a atomic attack’. This is what a nonmigratory successful the Ukrainian metropolis of Dnipro said aft Vladimir Putin’s unleashed ‘Oreshnik’, 1 of the newest intermediate-range missiles successful Russia’s arsenal.

Initially, the limb was mistaken for a 3,400-mile intercontinental ballistic rocket – which would person been a archetypal successful the history of the invasion. At the end, it turned retired to beryllium thing else.

In an code to the nation, the president unveiled his caller missile, named ‘Oreshnik’ oregon ‘Hazel tree’ successful Russian.

He said it was a hypersonic ballistic missile, which travelled astatine 10 times the velocity of dependable and truthful could not beryllium intercepted.

Putin further added that the onslaught successful Dnipro was a trial motorboat of the ‘state-of-the-art missile’.

Russian sources said the scope was 3,100 miles, allowing the Kremlin to deed astir of Europe and the westbound seashore of the United States.

Is this genuine, oregon conscionable the Kremlin’s latest propaganda tool?

What is the ‘Oreshnik’?

Ivan Stupak, a subject adept and ex-SBU officer, disputed astir of Putin’s claims astir the ‘Oreshnik’.

He told Metro that it is simply a ‘Soviet-style limb with an upgraded system’.

‘You know, not each things that Putin says are true,’ Stupak joked. ‘We heard the aforesaid claims astir the Kinzhal ballistic missiles. He said they could not beryllium intercepted by immoderate European forces.

‘We present cognize that is is not true. As acold arsenic I know, “Oreshnik” is not really new, but an old-style limb with an upgraded system.

‘A batch of things successful Russia are not developed, conscionable modified from the Soviet Union. They person warehouses afloat of blueprints, truthful they are capable to revise them.’

Separately, the Pentagon said the rocket is based connected the ‘RS-26 Rubezh’ intercontinental ballistic rocket (ICBM).

Can Ukraine halt Russia’s missile?

Stupak believes the ‘Oreshnik’ could beryllium intercepted with the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which Ukraine does not have.

In October, the US sent the anti-missile system, which is designed to halt force missiles successful their past signifier of flight, to Israel.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian onslaught with a caller benignant of ballistic rocket was a ‘clear and terrible escalation’ and called for worldwide condemnation.

In his nightly video address, helium slammed Putin for utilizing his state arsenic a ‘training ground’.

‘Today, our brainsick neighbour has erstwhile again shown what helium truly is and however helium despises dignity, freedom, and quality beingness successful general. And however acrophobic helium is,’ helium said.

‘He is truthful acrophobic that helium is already utilizing caller missiles. And helium is looking astir the satellite for weapons. Sometimes successful Iran, sometimes successful North Korea.’

Stupak admitted that Ukrainians are frightened astir the powerfulness of ‘Oreshnik’ and what Putin could bash successful revenge for the heavy strikes targeting his arms depots and bid posts successful occidental Russia. 

‘We are scared. During the years of war, we person go utilized to Russian weapons,’ helium said.

‘Iranian-made Shahed drones – fine, we woody with them each night. Kinzhal missiles and others… Fine. I americium atrocious for my lexicon, but it was a sh*tty night.

‘Some of my friends successful Dnipro thought it was a atomic strike. The entity was shining. And the dependable was importantly antithetic from immoderate different they person heard before.’

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