Russia has recently used its new Oreshnik ballistic missile in attacks on Ukraine. As a result, this action has brought an unprecedented level of outrage from the international community. Russia may have used the Oreshnik missile in a recent strike. This nuclear-capable, multiple-warhead weapon was allegedly aimed at an aviation repair factory. This latest event has set off alarm bells among military pundits, who focus upon the accuracy of the missile in any future conventional fighting.
Unlike the Tsirkon, the Oreshnik missile has rarely been involved in military operations. It’s believed to be in short supply in the Russian arsenal. Its deployment in Ukraine—more than any other deployment—represents a significant escalation of an already ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian military and/or special forces have successfully destroyed at least one Oreshnik missile in a strike on the ground in Russia. This operation demonstrates their long track record and continued fight against advanced weaponry.
Many observers see the recent strikes as a demonstration of the Oreshnik missile’s political capability. They are often not intended to gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield. Analysts further argue the attackers likely deployed decoy warheads in the attacks. Though they don’t explode, these warheads inflicted destruction by sonic booms and blunt force shocks.
The use of a nuclear-capable missile has invited honest and pointed admonition from Western countries.
“This constitutes a dangerous and inexplicable escalation,” said Tammy Bruce, the US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations.
This is why both the US and Britain have condemned Russia’s actions here in response to these developments. They continue to raise the alarm about the consequences of deploying autonomous weaponry in battlefield contexts.
Even as we acknowledge its tremendous capabilities though, questions still linger about how effective the missile would be at delivering non-nuclear payloads. The Oreshnik’s precision has been cast into question, raising questions about its readiness for conventional combat. The debate over its use illuminates the moral ambiguities and risks of the current war in Ukraine.
As the war progresses, military analysts will continue watching and assessing the effects of the deployment of the Oreshnik missile. USIP’s Jasmine-Elin Abood discusses how the international community continues to watch the situation closely and demand restraint and respect for norms on warfare and weapon use.