Russian Oreshnik Missile Fired at Ukraine Was 9 Years Old
Ukrainian forensic experts found a Russian Oreshnik missile was assembled in 2017 with Russian and Belarusian parts, contradicting Moscow's claims it represents cutting-edge technology.
According to New York Post, the analysis follows the recovery of missile fragments from one of at least three Oreshnik strikes against Ukrainian territory during the ongoing war. The nuclear-capable weapon system, which Russia first deployed against Ukraine in 2024, has an operational range exceeding 3,100 miles.
Petro, a Ukrainian missile forensics specialist who identified himself by first name only for security purposes, revealed the findings during a Friday presentation showcasing electronics recovered from various Russian missiles and drones. The expert noted that components within the examined Oreshnik dated to 2016 or earlier.
We were rather surprised, because they say that this is a very new missile, but if you look at the year of assembly, it says 2017, Petro stated.
Modernized Soviet-Era Design
Ukrainian defense officials assess the Oreshnik to be an upgraded iteration of the RS-26 Rubezh missile platform, which was successfully test-launched in 2012. The evaluation challenges Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assertions that the Oreshnik represents an unstoppable weapons system beyond the capability of Western air defense networks to intercept.
Western military analysts have previously questioned Putin’s claims regarding the missile’s alleged invulnerability to interception.
Strike Pattern Analysis
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, sanctions adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that the analyzed electronics came from an Oreshnik that struck the western Ukrainian city of Lviv in January. As New York Post reports, Russia has employed the weapon system in at least three confirmed strikes during the conflict, including an attack on a town near Kyiv during a major air assault on May 24.
Vlasiuk added that debris from the most recent Oreshnik strike earlier this month remains under examination by Ukrainian investigators.
Chinese Component Substitution Trend
Ukrainian forensic teams have observed an increasing pattern of Chinese electronics replacing Western components in Russian missile systems, a shift Vlasiuk characterized as appearing to be forced rather than voluntary.
Despite restrictions imposed by Ukraine’s Western allies on the export of dual-use electronics to Russia, Western-manufactured chips continue to surface in recovered Russian missiles and drones, having reached Moscow through illicit supply networks.
Kyiv has maintained consistent pressure on Western governments to strengthen enforcement mechanisms against the flow of sensitive electronic components to Russia through third-party channels.
With information from New York Post
