For years, Russia has flaunted its cutting-edge military technology as a symbol of power and dominance.
Yet, a recent slip from Vladimir Putin has raised questions about whether one of its much-hyped weapons is as operational as claimed.
The confusion stems from Putin’s contradictory statements about the Oreshnik missile — a system allegedly capable of delivering hypersonic strikes, according to Ziare.
During his annual address to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Putin spoke about the Oreshnik missile system, which was reportedly used against Ukraine last month. While praising its performance, he revealed an unexpected detail:
“In the near future, serial production of these systems will need to be ensured to protect Russia’s security and that of our allies,” Putin said.
Exaggerated for Propaganda Purposes
The statement was striking because it directly contradicted what he said in November. At a previous meeting of the CSTO, a military alliance of former Soviet states, Putin had claimed the missile was already in production.
“We have several ready-to-use units… Production of the Oreshnik has begun,” he said at the time.
The conflicting remarks haven’t gone unnoticed. Anton Gerashchenko, a prominent Ukrainian official, highlighted Putin’s blunder on social media, fueling doubts about Russia’s claims.
Analysts in the West have long suspected that some of Russia’s “advanced weapons” are exaggerated for propaganda purposes. This latest inconsistency adds weight to their skepticism.
The Oreshnik — meaning "Hazel" in Russian — has been described as a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a hypersonic warhead. If true, it would represent a significant advancement in Russia’s arsenal.
However, Putin’s admission that the system is not yet in serial production raises questions about its actual readiness and effectiveness.
Russia has often used its military advancements to project strength, both domestically and internationally.
But slip-ups like this one expose cracks in that image. Rather than an operational game-changer, the Oreshnik may still be in the testing phase.
