Expert: Putin's super-robot a propaganda weapon

Russia's Oreshnik missile, touted by President Vladimir Putin as a "superweapon," has been deployed three times in the conflict against Ukraine, yet has failed to deliver the promised impact, according to defense system expert Hans Liwång. The missile's actual performance has fallen short of expectations, raising questions about its strategic value.

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They have invested a lot in propaganda for the missile, and then you want to use it even if they don't have much precision.

Liwång, an associate professor in defense systems at the Swedish Defence University, stated that the Oreshnik has been used in attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Dnipro, Bila Tserkva, and Lviv. However, investigations by independent Russian media outlet The Insider suggest there is no clear evidence that the missile caused significant damage in any of these three confirmed instances.

"They have invested a lot in propaganda for the missile, and then you want to use it even if they don't have much precision," Liwång explained, characterizing the Oreshnik primarily as a propaganda weapon. He believes its use, given its limited effectiveness, may even damage Russia's deterrence capabilities rather than signal strength.

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I think Russia had a hope that they would be deterrent. But given the effect on these three confirmed occasions, that deterrence is not exactly great in the condition that this missile is in.

The Oreshnik is a ballistic, medium-range missile equipped with multiple warheads that separate during flight. While it has the capability to carry a nuclear payload, Putin has not employed such a variant. The missile's range allows it to reach deep into Ukraine. However, Liwång suggests that the missile may not be functioning as intended and that Russia faces difficulties in manufacturing them in large numbers due to the high costs and the need for advanced components. Consequently, he does not foresee an increase in its deployment, as its limited effect does not improve Russia's position in the war.

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As it looks now, it is not reasonable to think that we will see an increase of this weapon, because the effect is limited and also does not improve Russia's positions in the war.