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When the Ukrainian air forces sent shockwaves across the globe, declaring that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile against its territory, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The world braced for a potential escalation that could lead to World War III. But just hours later, in a remarkable twist, Vladimir Putin himself stepped in to *calm* the storm of speculation.
In a press briefing that has everyone talking, the Russian president clarified that the attack was aimed at a Ukrainian military facility using a new ballistic missile dubbed Oreshnik (Hazel). This missile, as U.S. authorities have described, is a hypersonic intermediate-range device (IRBM) that has never before seen action in this ongoing conflict. The audacity!
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, the Oreshnik draws upon technology from another ominous Russian missile: the RS-26 Rubezh, marking its nature as *experimental*. “It had never been used on the battlefield before,” Singh stated, hinting that it could be retrofitted to carry dreadful nuclear warheads depending on Russia’s *sinister* intentions.
This missile is now an alarming new entry in military interactions, with the ability to strike targets within a range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers. This particular round traveled just over 1,000 meters from the Astrakhan region to the Pivdenmach missile factory in Dnipro, hitting its target within 15 minutes while zipping along at speeds surpassing **11 times the speed of sound**. Terrifying!
Political Repercussions
Despite sending what some may argue is a *less menacing* signal than longer-range missiles, the implications of this incident could set off alarm bells for European missile defense, as analysts warn of the ever-growing threat. Is Europe prepared?
Expert Jeffrey Lewis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies pointed out that Putin had hinted at *enhancing* Russia’s IRBM capabilities, particularly after Washington and Berlin initiated plans to deploy long-range U.S. missiles in Germany by 2026. “The RS-26 was always the main candidate,” he ominously predicted about the future of military technology.
Ok, two reasons why I think Russia probably used a variant of the long-gestating RS-26 Rubezh IRBM: (1) Russia hinted that it resumed development of the RS-26 this summer and (2) that’s what the Ukrainians predicted a day ago, down to the launch site. https://t.co/eUIPx7eqVt
— Dr. Jeffrey Lewis (@ArmsControlWonk) November 21, 2024
According to Timothy Wright from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, **this missile development could compel NATO nations to rethink their air defense strategies**. The chilling reality is that even *Germany* could feel justified in its decision to procure advanced defense systems like **Arrow 3**, as these regional threats morph and grow.
Relatedly, with a MRBM known to be in Russian service, Germany will feel vindicated by its decision to procure Arrow 3. Russia’s development of a MRBM may influence procurement/deterrence decisions in other NATO countries regarding offensive and defensive systems.
— Timothy Wright (@Wright_T_J) November 21, 2024
Following the historic use of the Oreshnik, Putin wasted no time in pushing for *”serial production”* of this missile, standing firm as he declared, “The decision has already been made… We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, pending security threats to Russia.” The chilling implications are undeniable: this missile could change the power dynamics across Europe.
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