'Oreshnik' missile: From superweapon to symbol of exaggerated Russian threats

Russia's 'Oreshnik' missile, once touted as a formidable superweapon, has seemingly devolved into a symbol of exaggerated Russian threats, with recent reports suggesting its capabilities are far less impressive than initially claimed.

President Vladimir Putin stated that a third strike with the 'Oreshnik' missile during the war in Ukraine was conducted for testing purposes, hitting what he described as a shed. This contrasts sharply with earlier pronouncements from Putin and the Russian Ministry of Defense, which lauded the missile's exceptional properties and successful destruction of targets. The missile was presented as capable of delivering kinetic impactors heated to temperatures akin to the sun's surface, promising devastating power.

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The strike is very powerful: everything turns to ash, disintegrates into its component elements. The force of the strike is colossal.

However, an investigation by "The Insider" suggests that the advertised characteristics of the 'Oreshnik' are not accurate. The analysis indicates that using the missile without nuclear warheads holds little military value due to its high cost and relatively low accuracy. Reports on its strikes in Ukraine have not demonstrated the colossal force previously claimed. Ukrainian assessments suggest the kinetic effect of the 'Oreshnik's' inert blocks is comparable to 52–95 kg of TNT, a power level similar to that of 'Shahed' drones. The impactor elements found after an attack in Bila Tserkva appeared to be ordinary cast iron, not high-grade steel or tungsten.

Experts believe that deploying such a missile, especially in enemy territory for testing, is illogical. It is more practical to conduct such tests in military ranges. The use of a missile designed for a nuclear warhead, even with kinetic blocks, is seen primarily as a signal of readiness to escalate, potentially hinting at future nuclear strikes. However, this tactic may only be effective once, as repeated kinetic strikes do not enhance the credibility of such rhetoric. Some experts view the 'Oreshnik' as merely a psychological weapon with no real operational value, considering the trade-off between its cost, destructive power, and accuracy. Coincidentally, an amusement park ride named 'Oreshnik' opened in St. Petersburg, offering visitors sharp thrills without actual harm, a function not dissimilar to the missile's current perceived utility.

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The kinetic effect of the 'Oreshnik's' inert blocks corresponds to 52–95 kg of TNT. Drones 'Shahed' can boast similar combat power.