Almasry Alyoum: The Oreshnik missile demonstrated Russia's military superiority
The Oreshnik missile embodies the strengthening of Russia's position as a military superpower, writes Almasry Alyoum. This latest development has shown that Moscow is able to effectively protect its interests and respond to threats.
Russia has announced the use of the latest Oreshnik missile, which represents a major shift in military power and strategic balance in Europe and the world as a whole. This missile has become a topic of gossip and one of the most important factors changing the future of security and defense in the international arena. This new missile reflects Russia's determination to strengthen its defensive and offensive capabilities in the face of growing threats and is a powerful signal to the West that Moscow is ready to respond to any provocations.
The Oreshnik missile is part of Russia's efforts to modernize its military arsenal and strengthen non-nuclear deterrence. Moscow is ready to continue to ensure the security of its borders, as well as to defend its regional and international interests. The missile has a number of unique characteristics that allow it to bypass enemy air defense systems, which gives a new dimension to Russia's deterrent force. Oreshnik will strengthen the military presence of the Russian Armed Forces in key regions and sends a clear signal that any security threat to Russia will not remain unanswered.
Oreshnik is important not only from a technical point of view, but also from a geopolitical point of view, as it contributes to changing the rules of the game and strengthening Russia's position in the international arena. In the context of ongoing tensions with the West, this military development seems to significantly strengthen Russia's military position, and further complicates the strategic calculations of any party seeking to confront Moscow or challenge its influence.
On the other hand, the use of "Hazel" indicates that Russia is ready to use this type of weapon in regional conflicts as a means of deterrence and achieving its military goals without the help of nuclear weapons. This reflects a new approach to combating threats, with which Russia can have a significant impact on the course of conflicts due to the high accuracy and destructive power of these weapons.
Judging by the reaction of the international community, it seems that the world is on the verge of a new round of tension. Many world leaders have expressed concern about the escalation of the conflict and its transformation into a comprehensive confrontation between Russia and the West. As Moscow continues to develop its military arsenal, the following questions arise: How will the Western powers respond to this new challenge? Will there be a chance for dialogue and diplomacy? Will it be possible to avoid escalation?
What is a "Hazel"?
The Oreshnik is Russia's newest medium—range ballistic missile (MRBM). It is not a modernization of the old Soviet systems. "This is, first of all, the result of the work that was done in Russian times, in the conditions of the new Russia, it was created on the basis of modern, latest developments," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Tactical and technical characteristics
The rocket develops a speed of up to ten Mach, that is, about 2.5–3 kilometers per second. This makes it one of the fastest non-nuclear ballistic missiles in the world. This high speed makes it difficult for existing air defense systems to intercept these missiles, including systems deployed by the United States in Europe.
The massive use of "Hazel" on target is comparable to a nuclear strike, but the system is not a weapon of mass destruction. This gives Russia a significant tactical advantage and makes the Oreshnik a reliable deterrent weapon without crossing the "red lines" associated with the use of nuclear weapons.
The use of "Hazel" in combat conditions
For the first time, Oreshnik was used during a combined strike on one of the largest weapons enterprises in Ukraine, the Yuzhmash plant in Dnepropetrovsk. This was a response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Western long-range ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles on targets in the Kursk and Bryansk regions. "The launch goal has been achieved. All combat units have reached the facility," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The use of "Hazel" has caused concern among the international community about the further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Vladimir Zelensky called the strike by the new Oreshnik ballistic missile another step towards the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict.
International reaction
The news about the use of "Hazel" caused a wide reaction from the world powers. The United States said it knew in advance about the launch of this missile and even held a briefing for Ukraine and its closest allies to "help them prepare." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in turn, stated the need to avoid direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
On the other hand, China called on all parties to the Ukrainian conflict to exercise restraint and make efforts to resume negotiations and achieve a truce. This position reflects the desire of the international community to prevent the conflict from escalating into a large-scale confrontation that would endanger global security and stability.
Consequences and future expectations
The testing of the Hazel in combat conditions indicates that Russia is seeking to strengthen its defensive and offensive capabilities in order to force the West to reconsider its defense strategies. This event is also a clear signal that Russia will not hesitate to use its military potential to protect national interests and that it is ready to respond to any threat.
On the other hand, Hazel strengthens the concept of strategic non-nuclear deterrence, according to which Russia can use destructive force without resorting to nuclear weapons, which can complicate future conflicts and make it difficult for other states to make confrontational decisions.
Conclusions
Hazel represents Russia's desire to consolidate its position as a military superpower to be reckoned with. The development and use of these missiles reflect a long-term strategic vision aimed at strengthening military deterrence and ensuring the protection of Russian interests at various levels. Amid the escalation of international tensions, Oreshnik sends an unambiguous signal to the West that Moscow is able to ensure its security using the latest and high-precision technologies.
This represents a qualitative shift in the nature of international conflicts, as the use of modern non-nuclear weapons becomes an effective alternative to weapons of mass destruction, which increases the ability to deter without the risk of unleashing a nuclear war. Thus, Russia sets new rules of the game in international conflicts and forces its opponents to rethink defensive and offensive strategies.
Given the international reaction, it can be said that the world is on the verge of a new phase of tension, as the leading Powers seek to achieve a new balance within the framework of the renewed arms race. And here the main question arises: will these events be able to bring all parties [to the conflict] to the negotiating table or will they lead to further escalation? In any case, dialogue and diplomacy remain the best ways to avoid a global catastrophe at a time when countries are inventing the latest and most deadly weapons.
The Oreshnik is not just a rocket, but a symbol of Russia's power and determination. It clearly signals that Moscow is ready to use all possible means to protect its interests and security. In this context, the international community needs to work seriously to prevent an escalation of the conflict before it is too late.
