Putin’s Latest Weapon Test: Russia’s MIRV Technology Could Send Shockwaves Through Global Security

Ukraine employed American-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) and British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Russia swiftly retaliated with a new multi-warhead ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear payloads, capturing global attention. It was reported on November 21 that Russia deployed a ballistic missile system known as MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) against Ukraine.

This advanced technology allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads, each capable of independently reentering the atmosphere and striking different targets. The MIRV concept was first implemented in the U.S. Minuteman-III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed testing the new medium-range missile system Oreshnik while announcing airstrikes on Dnipro, Ukraine. He clarified that the test involved a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) without a nuclear warhead, demonstrating one of Russia’s latest non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile systems in a combat scenario.

The U.S. government corroborated Russia’s test of the new IRBM, noting that modifications could potentially allow it to carry nuclear warheads.

In January 2021, during North Korea’s 8th Party Congress, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled plans to bolster the country’s nuclear capabilities. This initiative was framed as a five-year plan for advancing the defense industry and weapons systems.

Kim provided an unusually detailed account of various weapon systems under development, from research and design phases to testing and near-production stages. He publicly disclosed classified military information, emphasizing MIRV technology development as one of five core defense priorities. This technology is widely regarded as a potential game-changer in military strategy.

Oreshnik: A Modern Evolution of the RS-26 Missile

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the RS-26 missile utilizes solid fuel, enabling launch from a mobile platform (TEL). It measures approximately 12 meters (39 feet) in length, 1.8 meters (6 feet) in diameter, and weighs about 3.600 kilograms (about 8,000 pounds) with an 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) payload capacity. Russia successfully tested the missile in 2012, 2013, and 2015, achieving a range of 7,450 miles, classifying it as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). While its maximum range exceeds the ICBM threshold of 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles), it can be readily adapted for shorter-range use.

Putin withheld specific details about the Oreshnik’s capabilities. In response, U.S. Department of Defense Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the Oreshnik is based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh ICBM model. The RS-26 Rubezh straddles the line between ICBM and IRBM classifications with a maximum range of about 5,500 kilometers. Some analysts believe that Oreshnik falls under the IRBM category. For context, ballistic missiles are classified by range: SRBMs (1,300-1,000 kilometers), MRBMs (1,000-3,000 kilometers), IRBMs (3,000-5,500 kilometers), and ICBMs (over 5,500 kilometers).

Russia developed the RS-26 to counter nearby European nations. The Oreshnik’s most concerning feature is its MIRV capability, which potentially allows it to carry nuclear warheads. MIRV technology enables warheads to separate in flight and target multiple locations independently. It is typically used in ICBMs and can carry up to 14 warheads.

The name Oreshnik, meaning hazelnut in Russian, suggests this missile is an advanced, modernized version of existing technology. The name may allude to the clustered nature of hazelnuts on branches, mirroring the missile’s multiple warheads.

While the Oreshnik tested in this instance did not carry nuclear warheads, its MIRV capability makes it a formidable weapon. If deployed with nuclear payloads, the multiple independently targetable warheads would be highly challenging to intercept. Footage of the Oreshnik strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, reportedly showed six separate warheads descending on the target area.

Strategic Implications of MIRV-Capable Systems

MIRV technology, allowing multiple warheads to target individual objectives while reentering the atmosphere, was developed during the Cold War. The U.S. Minuteman-III ICBM exemplifies this system, with the U.S. reportedly maintaining a force of about 400 missiles.

This weapon system can strike any global target within 30 minutes of launch, including reaching from California to Pyongyang. The Air Force Global Strike Command currently operates the Minuteman-III fleet and strategic nuclear bombers.

The Minuteman-III, succeeding earlier Minuteman-I and II models, entered service in 1970, with final deployment in July 1976. Despite its age, it remains one of the world’s most potent ballistic missiles due to enhancements in range, power, and accuracy, particularly its MIRV capability.

The missile’s strength lies in its Mk-12 or Mk-21/SERV reentry vehicles, housing thermonuclear warheads. Depending on the mission, it can carry one or three reentry vehicles. The W78 and W87 warheads yield 335 to 300 kilotons, over 20 times more powerful than the atomic bomb used on Hiroshima.

The Minuteman-III boasts remarkable accuracy. Its Mk-21/SERV reentry vehicle has a circular error probable of less than 120 meters (400 feet), enabling precise strikes on enemy ICBM silos. With a 13,000 kilometers (8,100 miles) range, it’s operated from bases in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana.

China is developing its next-generation mobile MIRV-capable ICBM, the Dongfeng-41. This missile reportedly can carry ten nuclear warheads, measures 16.5 meters (54 feet) in length, and weighs 60 tonnes.

While the earlier Dongfeng-31, deployed in 1999, could reach the western U.S. with its 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) range, the Dongfeng-41 boasts a 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) range, putting the entire continental U.S. within reach. Experts believe it could strike anywhere in the U.S., including Washington and New York, within 20 minutes of launch, with precision targeting capabilities for western coastal regions.