Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has made another bold statement, this time about the Oreshnik missile, which he says could pose a new threat to “decision-making centers” in Ukraine. However, military experts and analysts say such statements are part of a Kremlin information campaign aimed primarily at the West.
According to military expert, reserve major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Hetman, the statements about the characteristics of the “Oreshnik” are exaggerated:
"Oreshnik cannot be compared to nuclear weapons, as the Kremlin is trying to present. At best, its effect can be compared to the power of traditional bombs, such as FAB3000 or FAB1500," Hetman noted.
The expert emphasized that the production of such missiles in Russia is very limited:
“There may be a maximum of 5-10 of them, and they are definitely not in circulation. Moreover, modern air defense systems of Ukraine and Europe are quite capable of destroying them.”
Thus, the claims about the “uniqueness” and “impossibility of shooting down” the missile are untrue.
According to Hetman, Putin's main goal is to intimidate the West and try to influence Ukraine's partners. Such statements are usually accompanied by pseudoscientific justifications and exaggerations designed to create the image of an "omnipotent weapon.".
Putin also said that the Russian military is allegedly already “selecting targets” for strikes with this missile, including in Kyiv. However, experts believe that such statements are part of psychological pressure:
“This is a 'military-political action' that has no real impact on the course of the war, but is aimed at increasing tensions among Ukraine's allies,” Hetman summarized.
