Expert Reveals the True Price of the 'Oreshnik' Missile: Key Specs and Capabilities.

The 'Oreshnik' Missile: Breaking Down Its Specs

According to Espreso.tv: Military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko has provided detailed insights into the intercontinental ballistic missile known as 'Oreshnik,' covering its technical specifications, cost, and battlefield role. Each warhead section of the Oreshnik carries six tungsten submunitions, which upon impact release energy equivalent to roughly 30 kg of TNT. With a total of 36 tungsten submunitions, the missile's overall energy output ranges between 750 and 800 kg of TNT.

How It Stacks Up Against Other Weapons

For context, a Shahed 136 drone carries a 90 kg explosive payload, while the FAB-250 aerial bomb contains approximately 90–95 kg of explosives. The Oreshnik's price tag of $80 million is dramatically higher than other missiles, which are typically valued at around $1.5 million.

On November 21, 2024, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Oreshnik was test-launched during an attack on Dnipro. Later, in the early hours of January 9, 2026, Russian forces used the missile in a strike on Lviv. On May 24, Russia also deployed the Oreshnik against the Bila Tserkva district in the Kyiv region.

This is an $80 million missile armed with six warhead sections, each containing six tungsten submunitions.

Oleksandr Kovalenko

Kovalenko further noted:

Putin is primarily using this as a psychological tool to instill fear.

Oleksandr Kovalenko

Understanding the Oreshnik's capabilities is critical given its immense cost and destructive power, which could shape strategic decisions in armed conflicts. The deployment of such advanced missiles reflects the ongoing evolution of military technology and shifting tactics in contemporary warfare. These developments may have far-reaching effects on international policy and the defense strategies of nations focused on regional security and stability.