How Putin’s ‘Oreshnik’ hypersonic missile dodged Ukraine’s defences with cluster-bomb warheads – and could go NUCLEAR

Yesterday, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Ukraine, a weapon the US has warned may be turned into a nuclear weapon.

In an early-morning attack on Thursday, the medium-range “Oreshnik” rocket broke through Ukrainian defenses and dropped a cluster-bomb of warheads on the city of Dnipro.

At first, Kyiv’s Air Force referred to it as the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which would have been the first time such a weapon was deployed in combat.

However, it turned out to be a terrifying new rocket that can fly ten times faster than sound. It is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), based on the older Rubezh type.

Speaking to the nation, Putin said that Russia had tested its “newest missile,” an IRBM known as “Oreshnik,” during the attack on Ukraine.

Both belong to the same family as the fierce Russian weapon known as the original RS-24 Yars ICBM.

An RS-24 fires off many warheads in the Earth’s atmosphere before they rain down on unprepared area below in a terrifying simulation film that illustrates how these weapons would work.

According to the Pentagon, Moscow could still alter the Oreshnik to carry a nuclear payload even though it was shot with conventional warheads.

Spokesman Sabrina Singh cautioned that it could be modified to undoubtedly carry several conventional or nuclear weapons.

The use of a previously unfired missile by Russia is being considered “experimental” in Washington, she disclosed.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the embattled president of Ukraine, denounced the attack yesterday, calling it a “clear and severe escalation” by “insane” Russia.

In a televised speech on Thursday, Putin boasted sickeningly about his newest weapon, claiming it moved ten times faster than sound.

According to Russian reports, its 5,000km range would allow it to reach most of Europe and, if desired, the US West Coast.

According to Russian military specialist Anatoly Matviychuk, it has the capacity to carry six to eight conventional or nuclear bombs.

Western intelligence verified that, contrary to initial expectations, the Russian weapon was an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) based on the earlier Rubezh.

After a Russian launch, an Oreshnik could strike Poland in 12 minutes and Britain in 20 minutes, according to the Times of Ukraine channel.

In retaliation to Ukraine’s use of Western weapons, Putin declared yesterday that he will strike Britain, establishing military targets in the UK as legitimate targets.

Regarding their new missile, the Kremlin subsequently stated: “Russia has demonstrated its ability to respond to Western actions by using ballistic missiles.”

After Kyiv launched US ATACMS missiles into Putin’s land overnight on Monday and British Storm Shadow rockets on Wednesday in a double-tap win, Russia commenced its attack on Dnipro.

A terrifying video showed what appeared to be six separate warheads launching rockets at the Ukrainian city.

According to reports, it hit the Yuzhmash defense facility in Dnipro after being shot from the Kapustin Yar test range in Russia’s Astrakhan region.

Additionally, the Kremlin sent out Tu-95MS strategic bombers to attack beleaguered Ukraine with cruise missiles.

In the midst of the bombardment, NATO scrambled F-16 warplanes above Poland, placing radar and air defense systems on high alert.

According to the head of the Army, Britain would be prepared to fight “tonight” if Putin attacks another European nation, he warned British lawmakers Thursday night.

“If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight,” Lieutenant General Rob Magowan told the House of Commons defense committee.

“I don’t think anybody in this room should be under any illusion that if the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight, then we would meet them in that fight.”