Russia has confirmed that it used a nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile during a massive overnight attack on Ukraine, in which at least four people were killed and dozens were injured. The strike is being seen as a major escalation in the ongoing war.
According to Russia’s defence ministry, the attack was carried out in response to what it described as Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure inside Russian territory. Moscow said it used a combination of advanced missile systems, including Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal and Tsirkon missiles, in the operation.
However, the reported use of the Oreshnik missile has raised serious concerns in Europe. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the move a “political scare tactic” and warned that deploying weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads amounts to “reckless nuclear brinkmanship”.
What is the Oreshnik hypersonic missile?
The Oreshnik hypersonic missile is classified by Russia as an intermediate-range ballistic missile. It is believed to have a strike range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometres, meaning it can target locations across Europe. Russia claims the missile can travel at speeds of around Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, making it extremely difficult to intercept with current air defence systems.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Oreshnik as a “state-of-the-art” weapon capable of carrying multiple warheads. Its first reported use was in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in 2024. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has also confirmed that the missile has been deployed in Belarus.
Can it carry nuclear warheads?
Russian officials have stated that the Oreshnik missile is nuclear-capable. However, reports suggest that the recent strike used non-nuclear or dummy warheads. Despite this, experts warn that even without nuclear payloads, the missile’s extreme speed and heat impact can cause significant destruction, including damage to heavily protected targets.
First published on: May 25, 2026 07:01 AM IST
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