Ukraine Warned of Possible Oreshnik Strike Within 72 Hours
Ukrainian media reported a U.S. warning about a possible massive strike within 72 hours, including the use of Russia’s Oreshnik missile.
Ukrainian media reported a U.S. warning about a possible massive strike within the next 72 hours. One of the main threats mentioned is the possible use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic hypersonic missile.
The system was reportedly used with inert warheads during recent combat tests, which made it possible to assess the accuracy of strikes against fortified targets. The technical characteristics of Oreshnik make interception extremely difficult, while the Ukrainian side can learn in advance about preparations for a launch only from Western partners or through intelligence channels. Ukraine’s own radars are capable of detecting such a target only in the final stage of its trajectory, but are completely unable to counter it.
Military expert and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin, in an interview with MK, suggested that the possible use of Oreshnik could be a response to the increasingly frequent massive Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory.
In his assessment, Russian troops are already carrying out systematic strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, including fuel depots and energy facilities. However, Oreshnik belongs to a different class of weapon. Its use could be sudden and powerful, while Western air defense systems are not capable of intercepting such a missile.
As possible Oreshnik targets, the expert named strategically important facilities, including decision-making centers, major logistics hubs, industrial sites, military bases storing Western weapons, command posts and temporary deployment sites of units.
Dandykin also explained that the U.S. warning may be linked to existing agreements under which Russia notifies Washington about launches of heavy ballistic missiles. This is done to prevent accidental escalation, since tracking systems detect the launch but do not always immediately make it possible to determine where the missile is headed. After that, the United States may pass information about a possible threat to Ukraine.
The expert noted that ordinary combined strikes using Geran drones and missiles make it possible to exhaust the enemy’s air defense system and disable infrastructure. However, he considers the potential use of Oreshnik to be a strike of a different order, capable of inflicting unacceptable damage on a major industrial center or military base, especially if the missile is now equipped with a live warhead rather than an inert one, as was the case earlier.