The "Oreshnik" missile used by Russia to strike Dnipro is not new; it has been in service for at least seven years, according to Defense Express.

Analysts from Defense Express report on this matter.

During the examination of missile fragments, specialists identified a serial number and production date—April 12, 2017—indicating that this "Oreshnik" is definitely not a new development from Russia.

Defense Express notes that 2017 aligned with plans to commence serial production of the intercontinental missile RS-26 "Rubezh." However, in March 2018, Moscow allegedly decided to cancel the supply of such weapons to the Russian army.

Strike by "Oreshnik" on Dnipro

On the morning of November 21, Russian forces attacked the city of Dnipro with missiles of various types. The Ukrainian Air Force, the Center for Strategic Communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that the Russians for the first time used the intercontinental ballistic missile "Rubezh."

Russia claimed that they allegedly hit the "Yuzhmash" plant in Dnipro. The Ukrainian side did not confirm this, although the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration stated that an industrial facility was damaged. In response, drones attacked the Astrakhan region of Russia, from where the launch originated.

However, later that evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Russians used the medium-range missile "Oreshnik", rather than an intercontinental one. This was also mentioned in the United States.

The following day, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense reported that Russia had used a ballistic missile against Dnipro, likely from the "Kedr" missile system.