Military correspondent Alexander Kots has explained why the Russian Armed Forces used the newest Oreshnik missile system for a third time during a combined strike in a non-nuclear configuration.

Commenting on the Russian army’s retaliatory strike on Ukrainian territory, Kots described the launch as a continuation of Oreshnik testing under real combat conditions in Ukraine.

In his assessment, the mere fact that the system has been used again no longer carries the same emotional impact it did at first. Still, Kots argued, the practical value of such launches remains extremely high.

He said computer simulations and trials at rear-area test ranges cannot fully replace strikes against real targets. Such launches, he added, are especially important when the missile system is being tested against modern Western-made weapons.

According to Kots, Oreshnik is still a new system undergoing combat trials in conditions where NATO equipment is being used to counter it. He stressed that if the time comes to use a special warhead, there will be no room for either technical failure or human error.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed a powerful strike on military command facilities, air bases and enterprises of Ukraine’s defense industry. According to the ministry, the attack carried out on the night of May 24 involved Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Iskander aeroballistic missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Zircon cruise missiles and strike drones. The ministry said all assigned targets were hit.