ISW: Vladimir Putin brags about new missile, but experts doubt its innovation

The Russian leadership continues to brag about the "Oreshnik" ballistic missile. launched over Ukraine on November 21, with a possible repeat launch in the coming days. This is what analysts from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claim, the publication "Ukrainska Pravda" reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "Oreshnik“ it is based on modern technologies, is not a modernization of Soviet missiles and is already being prepared for mass production. Colonel-General Sergey Karakaev, commander of the Russian missile forces, emphasizes that the missile is capable of hitting targets throughout Europe and has no analogues in the world.

American and Ukrainian media note that "Oreshnik“ not a brand new weapon. Pentagon officials confirm that it is a medium-range missile based on the RS-26 "Rubezh" intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh commented that previous Russian attacks had used missiles with larger warheads.

Ukrainian Military Intelligence (UMI) suggests that "Oreshnik“ is the code name of the "Kedr" missile project, developed on the basis of the "Yars" ICBM. Lieutenant-General Kiril Budanov, head of GUR, points out that the development of "Kedr” continues from 2018-2019. ISW could not independently confirm these statements, but agreed that the November 21 strike did not demonstrate new Russian capabilities.

"Russia is taking advantage of the hype surrounding the Nov. 21 strike and likely hopes that the alarm over the Oreshnik missile launch will will force the West to reduce its support for Ukraine”, the report states.

ISW predicts that Moscow may conduct additional test launches of the same or similar ballistic missiles in the coming days.

Russian sources say Russia will close part of its airspace for missile tests on November 23-24, but did not specify what type of missiles would be tested.