Ukraine studies remnants of new Russian ballistic missile Oreshnik

(Patria) - Ukraine is studying the remnants of a new Russian ballistic missile Oreshnik
Ukrainian investigators are studying the remnants of a new Russian medium-range ballistic missile that was fired at the city of Dnipro on Thursday, the first time such a powerful weapon has been used in the war.

Reuters was among a small group of journalists given access to the missile wreckage on Sunday.

Journalists were asked not to reveal the exact location of the event for security reasons. Burnt and crumbled pieces of debris were laid out on a hanger in a weapons forensics facility. Ukrainian experts study such debris to gain insight into Russian military supply chains, production, and how to develop countermeasures.

Russia has named the missile Oreshnik (hazelnut tree) and said it is impossible to intercept with air defense. Ukraine said the weapon reached a maximum speed of over 13,000 km/h on its way to Dnipro on Thursday.

Medium-range ballistic missiles have a range of up to 5,500 kilometers.
Two state experts gave cautious assessments, saying only that the weapon was ballistic, flew on a ballistic trajectory, and that the impact caused damage to civilian facilities. They declined to answer questions or give their last names.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called the use of the weapon a serious escalation and urged allies to respond. Kyiv initially said the weapon was an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Kremlin later said it had fired a new medium-range missile at a Ukrainian military target in Dnipro in response to Kyiv's attack on Russia with US and British-made missiles for the first time after the United States gave approval for its use.

The US military said the missile's design was based on the longer-range RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The new missile was experimental and Russia likely possessed only a few of them, they said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow would continue to test the missile in combat and would have stockpiles ready for use.

Much remains unclear for now, including the extent of the damage caused by the missile. Ukraine rarely discloses damage to military targets, fearing that such information would help Moscow.