Bloomberg: Oreshnik is a tool of the Kremlin's strategic blackmail
The Russian "Oreshnik" missile, which Russia deployed during its massive strike on Ukraine, may not be a "superweapon" but rather a tool for exerting political pressure. The system is a modernized version of a design that was previously considered to have little potential, and the Kremlin is attempting to portray its use as a show of force and a means of strategic blackmail.
This is reported by Bloomberg.
In fact, the “Oreshnik” is a derivative of the RS-26 missile with a nuclear warhead, which was never officially adopted by the Russian Federation.
The main design feature of the “Oreshnik” is the placement of conventional (non-nuclear) warheads on a separable warhead section with individual guidance units. In global practice, leading military powers have never used such a design. The reason is simple: to effectively destroy a target with conventional explosives, the warhead must be delivered with extreme precision directly to the target, whereas for nuclear weapons, due to their destructive power, such extreme precision is not critical.
Attempting to disperse conventional warheads from a high altitude does not make the “Oreshnik” an effective high-precision military weapon. However, this design allows for the delivery of about half a dozen warheads to a fairly wide area, turning it into a tool for inflicting massive indiscriminate damage. Only Iran has previously conducted similar experiments, attempting to use “Khorramshahr” missiles to drop cluster munitions from high altitudes.
In contrast to the Russian approach, modern American conventional missile designs (such as Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Dark Eagle and the PrSM), as well as Chinese counterparts (notably the DF-27), rely on single conventional warheads configured for maximum precision in striking specific targets.
The “Oreshnik” is not an invincible missile, but its architecture significantly complicates the work of air defense systems. The most effective way to neutralize such a threat is to intercept the missile on its ballistic trajectory while it is still in space, before the warheads separate.
U.S. SM-3 Block IIA anti-missiles have the capability to shoot down targets at such altitudes. However, Ukraine does not possess these systems—the nearest Aegis Ashore systems, equipped with SM-3 missiles, are deployed in Romania and Poland. Without the appropriate technological means to intercept the space stage, it is extremely difficult to defend against separate warheads during the terminal phase of flight.
Experts at the Stimson Center note that the use of “Oreshnik” is primarily a form of strategic blackmail and a political signal of Moscow’s readiness for further escalation. The main objective of these strikes is an attempt at intimidation and inflicting maximum destruction in response to Ukraine’s long-range strikes.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, clearly characterized Russia’s actions as “intimidation tactics.” According to her, due to a lack of real breakthroughs and a stalemate on the battlefield, the Russian leadership is deliberately shifting its focus to terrorizing the civilian population and deliberately striking the centers of Ukrainian cities.
On the night of May 24, 2026, during a massive combined attack on Kyiv, Russian occupiers struck the territory of the “Ancient Kyiv” State Historical and Architectural Reserve. As a result of the shelling, architectural landmarks suffered serious damage, and the National Museum “Chernobyl” in Podil was almost completely destroyed.
The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in Kyiv was damaged as a result of a Russian missile and drone strike on May 24.
In Kyiv, as a result of a massive combined attack by the Russian Federation, the number of casualties rose to at least 62 people, including two children.
As a result of the massive nighttime attack on Kyiv, all districts of the capital were affected, with the most extensive damage recorded in the Lukyanivka district.
