A newly developed Russian medium-range ballistic missile, known as ‘Oreshnik,’ is reportedly plagued by a significant defect in its guidance system, causing it to miss its intended targets.
Internal communications from Russian defense manufacturers reveal that the primary issue lies with the gyroscopic block GU-503, an outdated Soviet aviation device hastily adapted for the new missile. At hypersonic speeds, even a slight deviation of half a degree from this block can result in a miss of several kilometers.
In a letter dated March 18, 2025, the manufacturing company MZP informed its client that the mass production of the GU-503 had been halted. The equipment designed for its calibration dates back to the early 1970s, much of it has malfunctioned, and there are no replacements available. Consequently, factories are forced to assemble missiles without verifying the accuracy of the gyroscopes.
The pressure from Russian President Vladimir Putin to adhere to tight deadlines has led manufacturers to abandon standard quality control procedures entirely.
Analysis of debris from intercepted missiles has revealed GU-503 blocks marked with the year 2025, indicating that Russia has yet to develop a modern replacement for the Soviet-era device.
The production crisis has compelled Russian authorities to concoct excuses for the missile failures. In May 2026, an ‘Oreshnik’ missile struck a garage cooperative in Bila Tserkva.
Following this incident, Putin claimed during a press conference that the targeting of a civilian structure was intentional, purportedly for the sake of observing accuracy. Experts argue that this statement effectively acknowledges that the missile is still undergoing testing, despite his claims of mass production.
The Russian 'Oreshnik' missile is encountering serious guidance issues, stemming from outdated technology. Internal communications reveal production challenges and a lack of modern replacements, raising concerns about the missile's operational readiness.