"Oreshnik" hypersonic ballistic missile.

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"Oreshnik" hypersonic ballistic missile.

Why in the news?

• In direct response to Ukraine's use of U.S. and British missiles on Nov. 21, Russia  launched "Oreshnik", one of its newest intermediate-range missiles,at a defence enterprise in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
• The city is home to the missile and space rocket company Pivdenmash, known as Yuzhmash to Russians.

Key features of "Oreshnik" hypersonic ballistic missile:

• The hypersonic missiles can change direction mid-flight, making them extremely difficult to track and intercept with air defenses.
•  It is believed to have a theoretical range of 3,420 miles, meaning it could reach past Ukraine and into Europe from where it was launched.
• It travelled at 10 times the speed of sound and so could not be intercepted.
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