Vladislav Vlasuk, a representative of the Ukrainian president, has provided insights into the Russian missile attack that occurred on May 24, which involved the use of the ‘Oreshnik’ missile system. Vlasuk discussed the technical aspects of this weapon and its implications for the ongoing conflict.
According to Vlasuk, the ‘Oreshnik’ model appears to be devoid of foreign components, a notable distinction from other Russian attack systems. In contrast to cruise missiles and drones like the ‘Shahed,’ which have consistently been found to contain Western microelectronics, the ‘Oreshnik’ suggests a shift towards domestic production.
To validate this theory regarding the missile’s entirely Russian production, experts have been engaged to meticulously examine each fragment recovered from the attack. The absence of imported components may indicate an effort by the Kremlin to establish a fully self-sufficient production cycle for certain missile types.
The May 24 attack marked the third instance of the ‘Oreshnik’ being deployed against Ukraine. This time, Ukrainian specialists were able to gather a significantly larger amount of physical evidence. The substantial quantity of remnants allows for a thorough analysis of the enemy’s technological capabilities.
Experts reported that 95% of the debris was found in open fields, with the majority of the fragments landing directly in agricultural areas, while a small portion struck private buildings. Vlasuk noted, “95% of everything that was available in terms of remnants was in the fields, and a little bit hit a few garages.”
If the missile indeed lacks Western chips, it suggests that Russia may be relying on older technologies or its own developments. However, other types of weaponry used by Russia during the same night still incorporate foreign components.
Vlasuk emphasized that cruise missiles and kamikaze drones remain critically dependent on supplies from third countries. Efforts to disrupt the supply chains of microchips for the ‘Shahed’ drones are ongoing, with specialists continuing to identify each component to strengthen sanctions against the Russian defense industry.
Vladislav Vlasuk has highlighted the absence of foreign components in the Russian 'Oreshnik' missile used in a recent attack on Ukraine. This suggests a potential shift towards domestic production, while other weaponry still relies on foreign technology.