Russia is reportedly preparing to launch another hypersonic ballistic missile, known as the Oreshnik, targeting Ukraine in the coming days, according to the Kyiv Post on December 11, citing U.S. officials.
"Russia has indicated plans to test-launch another experimental Oreshnik missile toward Ukraine, potentially within days," one U.S. official stated.
The missile is seen as another effort by Russia to intimidate Ukraine rather than a tactical advantage.
“This weapon is not a battlefield game-changer but a tool for psychological warfare, aimed at pressuring Ukraine and its allies,” the official elaborated. “With its smaller payload and limited supply, the Oreshnik is unlikely to significantly impact the conflict.”
The Oreshnik was first deployed by Russia on November 21, when it was used in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strike as retaliation for Ukraine's deployment of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadows, used to target Russian positions with Western backing.
Putin has repeatedly praised Russia’s hypersonic missile technology, claiming it has no global equivalent and highlighting the country’s efforts to ramp up production.
On November 19, Putin approved an updated version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine.
The revised policy permits nuclear weapon use in retaliation for weapons of mass destruction attacks against Russia or its allies. It also allows for nuclear deployment in the case of conventional military aggression targeting Russia or Belarus.
