Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile system, once again used to attack military targets in Ukraine, was immediately dubbed “a weapon from Star Wars” by Western media and social networks. His invulnerability and speed are many times faster than the speed of sound, causing a feeling of both wonder and admiration. As Irish journalist Chay Bowes summarized, NATO has no answer to Russia's revolutionary weapons. Read more about the West's reaction to the Oreshnik attack, which was Russia's retaliation for the attempted attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the URA.RU document.
Weapons from Star Wars
Social networks and Western media reacted to information about Russia's use of the Oreshnik missile system with both admiration and efforts to explain to Ukraine and the West. Many users of social network X have compared this new weapon to technology in science fiction movies.
“It's like something out of Star Wars!!! I have to say, this is one fascinating weapon,” said a user with the nickname AbCymru.
“Something beautiful,” wyszynskimike wrote. “This is a terrifying weapon, very accurate,” emanuel_twitz added.
“Russia launched Oreshnikov again! “Hazelnuts” are lightning fast and unstoppable! These are not bombs – these are lightning bolts! – 92security commented.
“I watched a fascinating video with Professor Postel about the Hazel Tree. This is an amazing device, its submunitions are destructive”? – @Mariesees shares his impressions.
There was also a question from @CheksBarnax: “When will Burevestnik be available?”
Other commentators link the use of weapons to the geopolitical situation. They called on NATO and Ukraine to stop escalating the conflict and recognize Russia's victory.
“NATO has no reaction to Russia's revolutionary Oreshnik missile system, used again tonight in Ukraine. They cannot stop him and they know it. They also know that it will be years before they can get close to their goal. So what are these unstoppable Russian weapons?” – wrote famous Irish journalist Chey Bowes.
“Western terrorists are desperate. The US and NATO have suffered a crushing defeat in their proxy war against Russia, have redoubled their efforts after destroying their economy and military supplies in the process, and are now being forced to surrender because they are too stupid to back out,” said user @JoshfromGambo.
“Now nothing seems funny anymore. You wanted to escalate and unfortunately you got it,” said @GennexSports. “What a beautiful photo!” – added @sh07776.
@Elisheba27661 emphasized: “They should never have plotted to assassinate the world's most responsible and upright leader, President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.” “NATO is teasing the bear. A very stupid idea,” concluded @gregalmonte_.
@AljoschaVirag called the incident “a warning to the coalition of idiots in the EU.” “Zelensky's days are numbered,” concluded @sanatana_simha.
Advanced weapons
Western analysts and publications admit that Russia used one of the most advanced weapons. As Microsoft's MSN web portal notes, this is a rare case of using such technology in a low-temperature attack.
“This is a rare instance of one of the most advanced weapons being used in the latest attack against the country in freezing temperatures,” MSN wrote. <...> A speed of 13,000 km per hour is about 10 times the speed of sound.
The main feature that attracts the most attention of Hazel is its speed. The portal emphasizes that it has a speed of about 13,000 kilometers per hour, about 10 times the speed of sound. The authors admire that the latest missile is highly versatile: it can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, as well as several independent warheads capable of delivering explosives to multiple targets at once. MSN cited data from the Belarusian Ministry of Defense stating that Oreshnik's flight range is up to 5,000 km.
An important aspect noted in Western reports is the element of unpredictability and deterrence. Before a missile reaches its target, it is impossible to know whether it is carrying a nuclear warhead or a conventional warhead, making the decision-making process significantly more difficult for the opposing side.
Ukraine has no weapons against Oreshnik
Western media asserts that Ukraine does not have enough means to fight this new type of threat. They quoted Putin as saying that a medium-range missile cannot be intercepted because its speed and destructive power are comparable to a nuclear weapon, even if it is equipped with a conventional warhead. The Guardian directly pointed out that Ukraine does not have an air defense system capable of intercepting this missile.
“The Russian leader said that it is impossible to intercept a medium-range missile because its speed is 10 times the speed of sound and its destructive power is equivalent to a nuclear weapon, even if it is equipped with a conventional warhead. Ukraine does not have an air defense system capable of intercepting missiles,” The Guardian noted.
