Russia's 'Father of Bombs': New Oreshnik Missile Could Make Nuclear Weapons Obsolete

Russia has unveiled a new superweapon that is sending shockwaves through global defense circles — a ballistic missile so powerful that experts claim it could render nuclear weapons outdated. Known as Oreshnik, this missile was responsible for a devastating strike in Ukraine that occurred just before dawn on November 21, 2024, and has now become a symbol of Russia's rapidly advancing military arsenal.

A Fireball Over Ukraine

That morning, a massive fireball lit up the sky above the Dnieper River, followed by a colossal explosion at Ukraine’s Yuzhmash defense facility, one of the largest in southeastern Ukraine. The blast wasn’t from a drone or a conventional airstrike. It was later confirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the attack was carried out using Oreshnik.

Why the Oreshnik Missile is Terrifying

This new ballistic missile reaches speeds exceeding Mach 10 (more than 12,000 km/h) and can withstand atmospheric temperatures as high as 4,000°C. That kind of velocity and heat resistance, especially in the final descent phase, makes interception nearly impossible — even by modern Western air defense systems.

Key Features of Oreshnik:

• Speed: Sustains Mach 10–11 even in dense atmospheric layers.

• Heat Resistance: Uses advanced ceramic and carbon composites to survive terminal heat conditions.

• Destructive Power: Said to cause damage comparable to tactical nuclear weapons, without nuclear fallout.

• Deployment: Already used in Ukraine; advance placement in Belarus planned by late 2025.

A Shift in Warfare

Analysts say that Oreshnik represents a significant shift in Russia’s war doctrine. While traditional ballistic missiles decelerate upon descent, this missile maintains hypersonic velocity, allowing it to penetrate advanced missile defense shields.

If weapons like Oreshnik become the norm, nations might prefer these precision hypersonic weapons over traditional nuclear arms, which carry diplomatic, environmental, and strategic baggage. This could signal a new era in warfare — where speed, precision, and impact overtake the brute force of nuclear deterrence.

In short, Russia’s Oreshnik isn’t just a missile — it’s a message. One that suggests the future of war might be faster, smarter, and far more difficult to defend against.