Putin escalates hypersonic missile production amid US-Iran-Israel war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the serial production of the Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) amid escalating tensions linked to the US-Iran-Israel conflict. The Oreshnik, unveiled in November 2024 and operationally tested in Ukraine, is a road-mobile, solid-fueled missile with an estimated range of 5,500 km (3,415 miles) and speeds exceeding Mach 10. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, including multiple or maneuverable reentry vehicles designed to penetrate missile defenses, and boasts high precision with a circular error probable of 10 to 20 meters. This missile expands Russia’s strike capabilities following its 2019 withdrawal from the INF Treaty and is seen as a counter to US long-range precision fire deployments in Europe and Asia. Putin framed the missile’s production as part of Russia’s 2027–2036 State Armament Program, emphasizing modernization across all military branches, including upgrades to the nuclear