09:05 22-08-2025

Expert Explains Differences Between Russia’s Kinzhal and Oreshnik

© Минобороны России / t.me/mod_russia

Military expert Yuri Knutov explained the major differences between Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missile and the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile.

The Russian hypersonic missile Kinzhal and the ballistic missile Oreshnik differ fundamentally in both design and purpose, military expert Yuri Knutov told NEWS.ru.

He explained that these are two entirely separate weapon systems, each created to fulfill distinct tactical roles. According to Knutov, Oreshnik falls into the category of medium-range missiles, while Kinzhal does not belong even to the shorter-range class. Another distinction lies in their payloads: Kinzhal carries a single warhead, whereas Oreshnik can be equipped with multiple ones.

Knutov noted that the intended use of Oreshnik is to strike broad areas, similar to how Grad rocket systems blanket large territories. Kinzhal, by contrast, is designed as a high-precision weapon aimed at specific targets.

Earlier reports stated that Russian forces struck the Dubno air base in Ukraine’s Rivne Region using Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. The attack was later followed by additional strikes with air- and sea-launched cruise missiles.