Oreshnik: What we know about Putin's newest missile being fired at Ukraine
Russia has launched an Oreshnik, one of its newest intermediate-range missiles, in what Russian President Vladimir Putin said was a direct response to Ukraine's use of US and British-supplied missiles inside Russia's border.
The missile was launched at a "defence enterprise" in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which is home to the missile and space rocket company Pivdenmash, known to Russians as Yuzhmash.
According to Mr Putin, the Oreshnik is a hypersonic missile, travelling at 10 times the speed of sound, meaning it could not be intercepted.
Russian sources said the missile's range was 5,000km (3,100 miles), which would mean that it would allow Moscow the capability to strike most of Europe and the west coast of the United States.
It appears to have multiple re-entry vehicles – separate warheads that are able to hit different targets.
Anatoly Matviychuk, a Russian military expert, said it could carry six to eight conventional or nuclear warheads.
Yuri Podolyaka, a Ukrainian-born pro-Russian military blogger, believes Oreshnik was probably already in service.
The Pentagon said the missile that Russia fired was based on the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), adding that Washington had been notified of the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels.
Ukrainian response
Ukraine's air force said Russia had fired an "ICBM" at Dnipro, The US, however, said that was incorrect as ICBMs are defined as having a range greater than 5,500km (3,400 miles), which is 500km more than the Oreshnik's capability.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia's attack with this new type of ballistic missile was a "clear and severe escalation" and called for worldwide condemnation.
He added via X: "Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions. Response is needed. Pressure is needed.
"Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats and destabilisation – not just against Ukraine."
The RS-26
The RS-26 is a solid-fuel, road-mobile ballistic missile that entered development in 2008.
In 2019, the US formally withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia after saying Moscow was violating it, an accusation the Kremlin denied.
The US said at the time that Russia was developing a ground-based cruise missile, known as 9M729 in Russia, that was distinct from the RS-26.
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