The photo from the Russian Ministry of Defense is said to show an Oreshnik unit in Belarus.Image: www.imago-images.de
Russia deployed its medium-range ballistic missile “Orezhnik” in Ukraine for the third time on Whitsun weekend. This is a deliberate attempt at intimidation and a signal to Europe.
May 27, 2026, 8:28 p.mMay 27, 2026, 8:28 p.m
Remo Hess, Brussels / ch media
The short answer: technically yes. But to efficiently neutralize the Oreshnik, the best way to encounter it is in space. Such exoatmospheric defense systems also exist in Europe.
Trump’s decision became public on May 1, two days after he spoke on the phone with Putin. There is no public evidence as to whether there is a direct connection.
What is oreshnik and what makes it so dangerous?
Oreshnik is a medium-range ballistic missile. It rises over 100 kilometers and leaves the earth’s dense atmosphere. The rocket is so dangerous because its warhead can be divided into several individual vehicles during re-entry, which in turn can be equipped with up to six impactors.
Source: dpa/mdr, graphic: stb
In the final phase, the reentry bodies rush towards the target area at hypersonic speeds. “Hypersonics” is not uncommon in ballistic missiles. What is crucial here is the combination of high speed, long range and multiple re-entry bodies. According to the Kremlin, the warhead can also be equipped with nuclear weapons.
Can Oreshnik also hit European capitals?
The Oreshnik has an estimated range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers. In December 2025, Putin said the missile would be moved to Belarus to his ally Alexander Lukashenko. He confirmed that an Oreshnik system had arrived in Belarus and was going into combat service. A few days later he spoke of “up to ten systems”.
If that is true, even with a conservative range estimate, all European capitals between Kiev and Lisbon would be within the target range. Including the Swiss federal city of Bern.
source: Osm, license odbl 1.0, graphics: stb
Can the rocket be launched?
The short answer: technically yes. But to efficiently neutralize the Oreshnik, the best way to encounter it is in space. Such exoatmospheric defense systems also exist in Europe.
Germany has purchased the Israeli-American “Arrow 3” system. The German Air Force has had its first operational capability since December 2025. Arrow 3 will not be fully operational until later.
In addition, the American “Aegis” system is in use within NATO in Romania and Poland as well as on US Navy destroyers. This European “missile shield” can only be used selectively. So the shield is full of holes.
What can Switzerland do against Oreschnik?
A missile shield always consists of different layers. The first is early warning using sensors. In the final layer, classic defenses such as Patriot anti-aircraft missiles or the Franco-Italian SAMP/T system are used. They complement systems such as Arrow 3 or Aegis.
Patriot and SAMP/T are present in Europe, but only in limited numbers. The stocks are therefore not sufficient for comprehensive protection.
Switzerland itself has none of these systems. Patriot delivery from the US has been delayed until the mid-2030s. And bridging with SAMP/T or its updated successor system is just now being examined.
Is Europe defenseless at the mercy of Russia?
No. But the options are limited. The logic of deterrence is all the more important. US President Donald Trump’s decision not to station new medium-range Tomahawk weapons, SM-6 missiles or modern hypersonic weapons in Germany as agreed is disastrous. They would not have intercepted the Oreshnik, but they would have strengthened Europe’s conventional deterrence because NATO could also have threatened long-range precision strikes.
Trump’s decision became public on May 1, two days after he spoke on the phone with Putin. There is no public evidence as to whether there is a direct connection.
Why is Putin reinstating the Oreshnik now?
The first time in November 2024, Putin justified the deployment with Ukrainian attacks using long-range Western weapons, including ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
And now, with Oreschnik, a clear signal is to be sent that says: “We have something here that we can shoot anywhere in Europe and it cannot be defended against,” said German security expert Nico Lange in an interview with the ARD “Tagesschau”. So it’s a classic attempt at intimidation and propaganda.
According to Lange, this is directly related to the difficult situation of Russian troops at the front and the successful Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil infrastructure: “Apparently we have hit a sore point with Putin.” The Europeans must take this as an opportunity to help the Ukrainians even more militarily and to develop their own missiles as quickly as possible, said Lange. (aargauerzeitung.ch)