Russia's missile modernity claim falters in Dnipro attack investigation
Ukrainians examined the Oresznik missile, which the Russian Federation used to strike Dnipro on November 21, 2024. Experts found serial numbers and production dates of some missile components. These indicate that the components of the Oresznik are over seven years old.
The examination of the Oresznik missile remnants, used by Russia in the attack on Dnipro on November 21, confirmed that Russian claims about the weapon's modernity are false. A serial number and production date were found on one of the parts. Data shows that the component dates back to April 12, 2017.
Technical details of the missile
Let's recall that the Oresznik missile fell on Dnipro on November 21. It is now known that the new Russian ballistic missile, used to intimidate the world, was equipped with many warheads, but none contained explosives. As a result, the missile caused little damage. However, Ukrainians examined the missile and, after looking at its construction components, determined that the ammunition is not a modern weapon but equipment created at least seven years ago.
This discovery suggests that Oresznik was assembled in 2017-2018, undermining its modernity claims. Photos from the research were obtained from trusted sources by the Ukrainian portal Defense Express. They show one of the elements produced in 2017. Analysts note that the mentioned year of production of one of the elements coincides with the fact that in 2017, the Russian Federation planned to start the production of the R-26 Rubież missile, which may be the real name of Oresznik. By March 2018, Moscow allegedly abandoned the introduction of the R-26 into armament.
Defense Express also highlights the designation on the part of the Oresznik missile - "EFIT 302811.002". Analysts linked these markings to the Russian enterprise NPTsAP, which supplies control systems for missiles.
NPTsAP is part of "Roskosmos" and is responsible for control systems for the Zenit and Proton-M missiles. This indicates that NPTsAP also supplies Oresznik systems. There is a supposition that Oresznik is assembled from elements of the Yars missile, being a modernization of Topol.
It should be noted that the specifications of the Oresznik missiles are still unknown. However, assuming it is a construction identical to the RS-26 system, the missile's launch weight may reach 40,000 to 50,000 kilograms. The range of the ammunition can be up to 6,000 kilometres, while the standard equipment includes four warheads with a yield of 300 kilotons each.
