RUSSIA’S ORESHNIK MISSILE SPARKS CLAIMS ABOUT WESTERN AIR DEFENSES
Retired Turkish Admiral Cem Gürdeniz has described Russia’s Oreshnik missile as an unprecedented development, claiming that Western air-defense systems would struggle to intercept it.
Gürdeniz also highlighted Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air-defense system, arguing that the Oreshnik’s capabilities have underscored the strategic importance of advanced missile-defense systems.
The Oreshnik is a Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile that Moscow has promoted as a highly maneuverable and difficult-to-intercept weapon.
Claims circulating online that it travels at Mach 11, carries 36 nuclear warheads, or that its range covers all of Europe should be treated cautiously, as these figures are not independently established and differ from publicly available assessments.
The debate nevertheless highlights growing concerns over Russia’s long-range missile capabilities and the ability of existing Western air-defense systems to counter advanced ballistic threats.