Putin’s newest hypersonic missile has NATO scrambling to respond as experts warn it renders Western air defenses practically useless. The Oreshnik missile system, capable of Mach 10 speeds and devastating conventional strikes, is a strategic game-changer that could paralyze NATO operations without requiring nuclear escalation.
At a glance:
• Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile was first used against Ukraine on November 21, traveling at speeds up to Mach 11
• The missile can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and has a range to reach any European target
• Putin claims the weapon is immune to Western missile defense systems and as devastating as a nuclear strike
• Military analysts warn NATO air bases and F-35 fighters are particularly vulnerable to this new threat
• Russia plans to deploy the missile system in Belarus by mid-2025, further threatening European security
Russia’s New “Hazelnut” Packs a Destructive Punch
Russia’s newest hypersonic Oreshnik missile system has dramatically altered the military balance in Europe with its first combat deployment against Ukraine in November. The missile, whose name means “hazelnut tree” in Russian, travels at a blistering Mach 10 speed – over 7,600 mph – making it virtually impossible for current Western defense systems to intercept.
President Vladimir Putin personally announced the successful test, stressing that Russia has the right to use these weapons against countries supporting Ukraine’s strikes on Russian territory. The weapon’s deployment marks a significant escalation in Russia’s military capabilities, with Putin boasting it could be as devastating as a nuclear strike.
Military experts confirm the missile carries six warheads, with each containing six submunitions that deliver destructive force equivalent to tons of explosives. The system is based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile but modified for medium-range deployment, putting all European targets within striking distance.
NATO’s Air Power Vulnerability Exposed
Military analyst Decker Eveleth warns that the Oreshnik system poses a particular threat to NATO’s air capabilities, which have become increasingly concentrated at a handful of large bases. Modern fighter jets like the F-35, which many NATO nations have invested billions in acquiring, require sophisticated maintenance facilities that cannot be easily dispersed or hidden.
Western defense experts recommend that NATO urgently develop strategies to disperse aircraft across remote European locations to reduce vulnerability. Regular cross-service maintenance exercises could also help ensure readiness while reducing reliance on major bases that would likely be primary targets.
Putin’s Strategic Chess Move
Russia’s decision to unveil and deploy the Oreshnik system appears carefully calculated to demonstrate its advanced military capabilities while intimidating Western nations supporting Ukraine. Putin specifically cited Western countries allowing Ukraine to use longer-range weapons against Russia as justification for developing and deploying this new system.
Adding to Western concerns, Russia plans to deploy the Oreshnik system in Belarus by the second half of 2025, bringing the advanced missile even closer to NATO territories. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has indicated Russia is preparing for a potential armed conflict with NATO in Europe within the next decade, suggesting the Oreshnik deployment is part of a broader posture.
U.S. intelligence sources indicate Russia currently has a limited number of these missiles, meaning they are unlikely to be used regularly against Ukraine. However, Russia is reportedly expanding missile production facilities, potentially increasing its arsenal of conventional ballistic missiles like Oreshnik in preparation for wider conflict.
