The chill of November 2024 descended upon Ukraine, but it wasn’t just the weather bringing a sense of dread. From Moscow, a single missile – the Oreshnik – streaked towards a weapons plant in Dnepr. Russia declared it a triumph, a “combat test” completed with chilling precision.
The Oreshnik wasn’t simply another weapon in their arsenal; it represented a dangerous escalation. Its development had been shrouded in secrecy, whispers of a new generation of missile technology circulating amongst intelligence communities. The attack on Dnepr wasn’t just about destroying a facility, it was about proving a point.
The implications of this “test” rippled outwards, extending far beyond the immediate damage. Within a year, by late 2025, the Oreshniks weren’t solely under Russian control. A crucial ally, Belarus, received a delivery of these potent weapons, fundamentally altering the regional balance of power.
This transfer wasn’t a surprise to those closely monitoring the geopolitical landscape, but it was a stark confirmation of deepening ties between the two nations. The Oreshnik, born from a single launch, now represented a shared threat, a new layer of complexity in an already volatile situation.
