Russia has produced and delivered the first serial batch of the “Oreshnik” complex, a new medium-range ballistic missile with hypersonic capabilities that does not carry a nuclear warhead, to the troops. On August 1, 2025, President Vladimir Putin disclosed this information while seated next to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during an event near St. Petersburg. This is the first serial model of the missile, which was successfully tested on November 21, 2024. In response to the use of American and British weapons, Russia used them against a military-industrial complex site in Ukraine.
“Oreshnik” is a mobile medium-range missile system with high accuracy and a strike power comparable to nuclear weapons when used in mass salvoes, but without a nuclear payload. The missile has a flight range of approximately 5,500 kilometers and is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 11. The missile system’s hypersonic technology offers it an edge in overcoming current missile defense systems, rendering it unique on a global scale; no other nation presently boasts such a weapon.
The Russian military has already received the first shipment of serial “Oreshnik” missiles, and the missiles are currently being integrated into combat formations. The systems’ location and potential deployment areas include territory within Russia and adjacent allied regions, including Belarus. The system’s appearance has been seen by Russian experts and legislators as a potential enhancement to its strategic potential.
Development and usage history
The “Oreshnik” missile’s inaugural combat launch occurred in November 2024, when a combined strike was executed on an industrial facility in Dnipropetrovsk. The operational readiness and tactical value of the new missile system were confirmed by this event, which plainly demonstrated its importance and effectiveness in actual conflict conditions.
The system was created to facilitate the delivery of high-precision missiles at medium range, with the ability to target critical infrastructure and military-industrial facilities. The design of the project prioritized the prevention of collateral damage. This advantage is mainly due to the missile lacking a mass destruction (nuclear) warhead, which allows precision targeting while reducing unintended consequences to surrounding areas.
The “Oreshnik” system is distinguished by its integration of sophisticated technical capabilities, including hypersonic speed, a significant operational range, and high strike accuracy. This distinctive integration substantially broadens the strategic and tactical missile warfare options available to the Russian Armed Forces, enabling more adaptable and powerful responses without the need to employ nuclear weapons.
Military and political importance
The “Oreshnik” missile system is regarded by the Russian General Command as a direct strategic response to the ongoing supply of Western weapons to Ukraine. Russia aims to counterbalance and prevent further escalation by upgrading its precision strike capabilities through the development and deployment of this advanced missile system.
The system’s capabilities are predominantly evaluated in the context of deterrence strategy. Its deployment and existence convey a clear message to the international community about Russia’s capacity to deploy formidable missile forces without utilizing nuclear weapons. The deployment demonstrates a new level of military sophistication and power to influence geopolitical calculations.
According to Russian officials, the strategic resilience and combat readiness of active military units are enhanced by the integration of the “Oreshnik” system. It is regarded as a critical component of Russia’s contemporary weaponry, as it significantly enhances the nation’s defense posture and contributes to national security.
Specifications
The “Oreshnik” missile is a medium-range ballistic missile that is equipped with hypersonic capabilities, allowing it to travel at velocities of up to Mach 11. It is capable of reaching strategic objectives that are located far beyond the borders of Russia, as it has an estimated maximum flight range of 5,500 kilometers.
The missile is equipped with a conventional warhead that is highly accurate and explicitly non-nuclear. This warhead is specifically designed to deliver precision strikes against critical military targets and adversary infrastructure. This decision is consistent with achieving effective combat performance while minimizing collateral damage and averting the escalation risks that are associated with the use of nuclear weapons.
The missile system is built on mobile platforms, which ensure that the system is highly adaptable on the battlefield. This mobility enables the rapid deployment, fast relocation, and enhanced survivability against preemptive strikes, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness.
Western analysts are divided over its classification. Some refer to it as a Russian RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile derivative, which is disputed by some.
Therefore, the start of serial production and delivery of the “Oreshnik” complex represents a major step in the development of Russia’s missile potential and exhibits technological capabilities that enable Russia to guarantee strategic deterrence and defense without the use of nuclear weapons. This system serves as both a political signal and a technological innovation.