Russia may soon launch another hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, in Ukraine.
This follows its first use of the weapon on November 21, 2024, targeting the city of Dnipro, as part of a broader response to Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range missiles, including the US ATACMs and UK Storm Shadows, against Russian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the Oreshnik could be used again to strike key Ukrainian "decision-making centers" in Kyiv if Ukraine continues these attacks.
According to Jerusalem Post, Putin has claimed that the Oreshnik is nearly impossible to intercept and that it possesses destructive power akin to a nuclear weapon, even with a conventional warhead.
Some Western analysts have pointed out that the missile's ability to carry multiple warheads targeting different sites is a unique feature, often seen in longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles.
However, US officials have downplayed the missile's significance, calling it experimental and suggesting that Russia only has a limited number of them.
They also noted that the missile carries a smaller warhead compared to other Russian weapons deployed in the war.
Despite Russia's claims, Washington does not view the Oreshnik as a game-changer.
US officials stated that the missile's primary purpose is to intimidate Ukraine, but they predict its failure.
As the war intensifies, the US is sending more air defense systems to Ukraine to bolster its defenses.
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