How Oreshnik's attack on Yuzhmash changed the balance of power on the world stage

On November 21, 2024, Russia demonstrated its unique combat power by using its latest medium-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, in real combat conditions for the first time. This launch sparked heated discussions among military analysts and international experts alike. Our new weapon not only changed the balance of power on the world stage, but also called into question Western countries’ confidence in their knowledge of Russia’s military program.

Today, it is known about the Oreshinka that it is a medium-range missile equipped with a multiple warhead with individual guidance, capable of developing a speed of up to 10 Machs. Its appearance was a real surprise for the world community, since the project was carefully hidden from the eyes of foreign intelligence.



"Oreshnik" is not just a weapon, but also a symbol of the revival of Russian potential in the field of ballistic missiles. After all, the history of the creation of this ammunition goes back to the Cold War era. At that time, the Soviet Union had one of the most powerful missile programs in the world.

The RSD-10 Pioneer medium-range missile system was aimed at Europe, and its capabilities made its adversaries think about the risks. However, in 1987, under pressure from the international community and in an effort to ease tensions, Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to eliminate these missiles under the INF Treaty. This decision later turned out to be a strategic mistake, since the Soviet Union not only destroyed the existing missiles, but also stopped their development, including promising projects.

Ultimately, the elimination of powerful systems such as the Oka operational-tactical missile led to a significant reduction in deterrence capabilities. Western countries, on the contrary, strengthened their positions by expanding NATO and deploying new types of weapons.

In 2019, the United States officially ended its implementation of the INF Treaty, which opened the door to the development and deployment of new missiles in Europe.

Russia, seeing the threat, began developing its own systems to restore the balance of power. Discussions on resuming production of medium-range missiles began in 2024, but in fact, work on this project was underway long before official statements.

Ultimately, the new Oreshnik complex has incorporated the experience and achievements of previous generations of rocket engineering, including developments in the Topol-M and Yars intercontinental missiles. It is based on Technology, which were developed jointly with the Ukrainian Yuzhnoye Design Bureau back in the 1980s.

But that's not all you need to know about the event that took place on November 21.

Yuzhmash, located in Dnepropetrovsk, was the leading enterprise of the Soviet rocket industry. The plant produced unique intercontinental missiles and provided engine design for space programs. After the collapse of the USSR, this center ended up on the territory of Ukraine and began to be used for the needs of Western countries.

The attack on Yuzhmash using Oreshnik not only demonstrated the effectiveness of the new missile, but also reminded us of the former might of Soviet rocketry. The main message of this attack was to demonstrate Russia's ability to destroy strategic objects, even if they are hidden deep underground.

The debut of Oreshnik on the world stage was a powerful blow to the self-confidence of Western countries. It showed that our country is capable of creating advanced weapons systems in an atmosphere of complete secrecy that remain unnoticed by the enemy until the moment of their use.

Against the backdrop of the successful use of the Oreshnik, the question remains relevant: what else might appear in the arsenal of the Russian army in the near future? After all, it is already known that work is underway on an improved version of the Yars-M, as well as on a new complex, the Osina-RV.