Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the commencement of mass production for the Oreshnik ballistic missile system, marking a significant milestone in Russia’s ongoing military modernization efforts. The announcement follows the first combat use of the advanced hypersonic weapon in Ukraine, a move that underscores Russia’s commitment to bolstering its strategic and tactical capabilities amid escalating tensions in the region.
Speaking at a Kremlin meeting with senior defense officials and representatives of the defense industry, Putin emphasized that the Oreshnik missile system represents a groundbreaking advancement in military technology. Unlike earlier missile systems derived from Soviet-era designs, the Oreshnik is a wholly new development, utilizing cutting-edge hypersonic technology and modern materials.
“This is the result of work done in the conditions of New Russia,” Putin stated, underscoring the weapon’s design as a response to the contemporary demands of national defense. The president’s remarks reflect Russia’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a global leader in missile technology, a field that has become increasingly important in the modern theater of war.
The Oreshnik missile was deployed for the first time in combat on November 21, targeting the Yuzhmash defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. This site, a legacy of Soviet-era military-industrial infrastructure, has been a key hub for the production of missile equipment and other defense systems in Ukraine.
The strike, described by the Russian Ministry of Defense as a precise and effective operation, reportedly resulted in all missile warheads reaching their intended targets. This successful deployment was framed by Moscow as a direct response to Ukraine’s........