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Russia’s New Missile Division Is Already in the Field—And It’s Just the Start
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia is advancing the deployment of a new class of medium-range ballistic missiles known as “Oreshnik,” according to recent assessments from Russian military-linked sources.
According to Defense Express on August 5, the development appears to be centered around the RS-26 “Rubezh” missile platform, which is believed to form the basis for the new missile system.
Despite the Kremlin’s public statements about serial production, analysts suggest that only one division—consisting of two to three mobile launchers and support vehicles—has likely been delivered to the Russian Armed Forces and is undergoing military field trials at the Kapustin Yar test site.
The only confirmed launch of the “Oreshnik” missile took place on November 21, 2024, targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro—although it did not carry an explosive charge.
While there have been no official announcements of further launches, pro-Russian defense outlets claim that Russia’s military-industrial base could produce an additional division of “Oreshnik” missiles by the end of 2025.
Russian sources also indicate that future deployments may be conducted “openly,” possibly on the territory of Belarus or in the western regions of the Russian Federation.
This coincides with Russia’s recent statement that it no longer considers itself bound by the restrictions of the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
“Iskander-K” ground-launched cruise missiles—previously deployed in violation of the INF Treaty—are also referenced in the context of recent attacks.
According to Defense Express, such missiles were used in the strike on Kyiv on July 31, 2025, and remain difficult to intercept due to their flight profile and targeting systems.
While the full operational status of the “Oreshnik” remains uncertain, its development reflects broader trends in Russia’s evolving missile doctrine following the abandonment of arms control norms.
Earlier, on August 4, Russia officially ended its self-imposed moratorium on ground-based intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, citing US deployments in Europe and the Pacific. The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the decision was a response to what it called “direct threats” from American missile systems and accused Washington of ignoring proposals for mutual restraint.
