Sat Nov 23 00:55:11 UTC 2024: ## Russia Tests New Nuclear-Capable Missile in Ukraine Strike, Raising Alarm in West

**KYIV/WASHINGTON** – Russia launched a new, experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) in an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, US military officials confirmed. The missile, designated “Oreshnik” (Hazel) by Russia, is based on the design of the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although this particular launch used a conventional warhead.

The Pentagon described the missile as experimental, stating that only a small number are currently in Russia’s possession. While its range – below 5,500 km – is insufficient to reach the US, it can easily strike targets across Europe. Initial reports from Ukraine’s air force incorrectly identified the missile as an ICBM.

The launch has prompted concerns among Western analysts. Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously hinted at developing such a missile in response to planned US missile deployments in Germany. Timothy Wright of the International Institute for Strategic Studies highlighted the potential impact on NATO’s decisions regarding air defence systems and offensive capabilities.

Putin claimed the launch was a response to recent Ukrainian long-range strikes into Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons, specifically mentioning the use of US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles. He further framed the development of the Oreshnik as a reaction to the US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and subsequent plans to deploy missiles in Europe and Asia. The Kremlin said the missile targeted a military facility in Dnipro, home to the Pivdenmash missile and space rocket company.

While the US was notified briefly before the launch, the incident has raised tensions and underscores the escalating arms race in the region. The potential for the Oreshnik to be fitted with nuclear warheads adds a significant layer of concern to the ongoing conflict. The implications for European missile defenses and the broader geopolitical landscape remain to be seen.

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