Russia ramps up production of new Oreshnik missiles
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) has provided information on the estimated production of the medium-range ballistic missiles known as Oreshnik or RS-26 Rubezh, which Russia may achieve within a year. The Russians used this type of missile in the attack on Dnipro on November 21. Then, the world became aware of the Kremlin's latest weapon. The Russians, in turn, announced plans to increase the power of the Oreshnik missiles.
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) has addressed the Russian capabilities in the launch and production of medium-range ballistic missiles. According to its representatives, the Kremlin can launch them from two locations in its territory. These are "Kapustin Yar," the 4th State Central Interservice Testing Range (SCMP) of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in the Astrakhan Oblast, which belongs to the Strategic Rocket Forces of the Armed Forces of Russia, and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Oblast, about 500 miles north of Moscow.
Ukrainian intelligence on Oreshnik missiles
HUR also reports that Russia, based on its experience in the production of intercontinental ballistic missiles RS-24 Yars, may produce up to 25 medium-range ballistic missiles annually. However, the Ukrainian service Defence Express points out that it is still unknown whether the production capacity is fully concentrated on the new missiles or if the Russians are still maintaining the production of other intercontinental ballistic missiles, including Yars missiles.
In a similar manner, in a conversation with WP Tech, military analyst Dawid Kamizela from the Defence Zone portal recently shared his opinion. He said, "The Russians, regarding the production of ballistic missiles of various classes with longer ranges, are self-sufficient for a fairly simple reason. Their strategic deterrence, just as in the case of countries like the United States or China, depends on this weaponry." According to him, the serial production of such Oreshnik missiles would amount to a few, maybe a dozen or so units. "This is something that makes no sense because in the case of conventional warheads, the cost-effectiveness ratio would be absurdly unprofitable," he noted.
According to Dawid Kamizela, conventional warheads—not nuclear warheads—can achieve similar effectiveness with significantly lower production costs by using cruise missiles like Kalibr or Kh-101. The Russians apparently are not concerned about the cost-effectiveness ratio, as besides announcing the mass production of Oreshnik missiles, they are also not excluding work on extending their range.
When journalists asked about the possibility of increasing the capabilities of the Oreshnik, Yury Borisov, head of Roscosmos, stated, "We will do everything the Ministry of Defense demands." Earlier, he had assured that Roscosmos has the full capacity to deliver Oreshnik missiles to the Russian Ministry of Defense in any number needed.
"As for high-precision systems, we have already increased the production of this type of weapon several times over the last two years or more. As for Oreshnik, we have all the necessary resources to meet the Ministry's demands," Borisov said during an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.
