In a stark demonstration of its growing military arsenal, Russia fired an experimental hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday.
Driving the news
- Russia fired its new hypersonic missile, the “
Oreshnik ” (Hazelnut), at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, marking an unprecedented escalation in the nearly three-year war. - The new hypersonic missile traveled over 700 kilometers from Russia’s Astrakhan region to hit a facility in Dnipro. While Russian officials described the strike as targeting a military-industrial complex, the attack wounded two civilians and damaged local infrastructure, according to Ukrainian authorities.
- President
Vladimir Putin , in a televised address, confirmed the missile test, describing it as both a successful strike and a warning. He hinted at its nuclear capabilities and emphasized that it was designed to counter Western involvement in Ukraine. - This attack followed Kyiv’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles, including US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, to target Russian military sites earlier this week. Ukraine’s President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled Russia’s response a “severe escalation,” calling for a global reckoning.
Why it matters
The Oreshnik is no ordinary missile. It is a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile capable of traveling at Mach 10—ten times the speed of sound—rendering it virtually immune to current air defense systems. This is the first time Russia has used such an advanced weapon in combat.
Putin’s decision to deploy this missile underscores Moscow’s willingness to push the conflict into dangerous new territory. Analysts believe the launch was less about military utility and more about signaling: a stark reminder of Russia’s nuclear capability to Ukraine’s Western backers.
The big picture
The missile test came amid escalating tensions after Ukraine struck Russian territory with Western long-range missiles. On November 19, Ukraine launched six US-made ATACMS at Russian targets, followed by strikes using British Storm Shadows and HIMARS on November 21. These attacks marked a turning point, as they crossed Moscow’s red lines for Western involvement.
Putin’s response to these developments was swift and multifaceted:
- He signed a decree lowering Russia’s nuclear use threshold, drawing sharp condemnation from Nato and Western leaders.
- The Oreshnik missile was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, over 700 kilometers away, targeting an industrial site in Dnipro.
- Putin warned in his address that any country allowing its weapons to be used against Russia could face retaliation.
- This escalation highlights the broader stakes of the conflict. The war in Ukraine, once seen as a regional struggle, now teeters on the edge of becoming a global crisis, with increasing involvement from Western allies and saber-rattling from Moscow.
What they’re saying
- Nato: Nato spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah downplayed the strike, stating it would not deter Western support for Ukraine. “Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor intimidate Nato allies,” she said.
- Ukraine: President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it a cynical violation of international law. “This is a serious escalation in the scale and brutality of this war,” he said. He criticized the muted international response, warning that inaction could embolden Putin to target other countries.
- US officials: American analysts pushed back on Ukraine’s initial claim that Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Instead, they classified the Oreshnik as a medium-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic, non-nuclear configuration. A US official, speaking anonymously, said Russia likely has only a handful of these experimental weapons, limiting their operational impact.
Zoom in
The Oreshnik’s hypersonic speed and ability to carry multiple warheads (MIRVed payloads) make it a game-changer in terms of missile technology. Fabian Hoffmann, a missile technology expert at Oslo University, noted that the missile’s payload is typically associated with nuclear systems, even though Thursday’s strike used a conventional configuration.
“It’s clear this is about signaling,” Hoffmann said. “Russia is demonstrating that it has capabilities that are hard to counter and hinting that escalation could take a more dangerous form.”
The missile struck an industrial enterprise in Dnipro, a former Soviet missile production hub. Local authorities reported damage to the facility and two civilian injuries. While the immediate military impact of the attack appears limited, its symbolic importance is significant.
Between the lines
Putin’s rhetoric around the missile strike reveals a calculated move to test the resolve of Ukraine and its allies. Experts argue that Moscow aimed to shift the narrative, painting Western support for Ukraine as a direct provocation and justifying its escalation as a defensive measure.
Targeting the West: By deploying the Oreshnik, Putin sends a message to Western leaders about the risks of arming Ukraine with long-range missiles. His accompanying decree lowering the nuclear threshold further reinforces the threat.
Ramping up tension: The strike also plays into Putin’s broader strategy of intimidation. Military analyst Nick Brown called the missile launch “an expensive and dangerous way for Russia to rattle its saber,” but added that it might strengthen Moscow’s bargaining position.
What’s next
- The situation raises critical questions about how the West will respond to Moscow’s latest escalation. US President Joe Biden, in the final months of his term, has ramped up military support for Ukraine, signaling a commitment to bolster Kyiv before the political landscape shifts in January.
- However, with
Donald Trump poised to return to the White House, both sides are jockeying for strategic advantage ahead of potential peace talks. - For Ukraine, the focus will remain on securing more advanced weaponry to counter Russia’s growing arsenal. Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged international leaders to act decisively, warning that delayed responses could embolden Moscow to further escalate.
- Meanwhile, Russia’s move to deploy hypersonic weapons introduces a new dimension to the conflict, with potential repercussions for global security. Experts caution that hypersonic technology—particularly when paired with nuclear capabilities—represents a serious challenge for defense systems worldwide.
The bottom line
The Oreshnik missile test is a stark reminder of the high stakes in the Ukraine war. While its military impact may be limited, its geopolitical implications are profound. Putin’s move to introduce hypersonic weapons into the conflict signals his willingness to escalate, even as Western leaders grapple with the best way to respond.
As the war inches closer to a global confrontation, the world waits to see how far Moscow is willing to push its warnings—and how decisively the West is prepared to answer.
(With inputs from agencies)