Lavrov said the Oreshnik missile deployment was a response to increased US military presence in Europe

The recent successful test of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile last month has been characterized by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as a direct response to the United States’ deployment of mid-range missiles in Europe.

This intermediate-range ballistic missile system, capable of carrying multiple warheads, including nuclear ones, was first utilized on November 21, targeting Ukraine’s Yuzhmash military industrial facility in Dnepr. In remarks regarding the strike, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the Oreshnik warheads travel at speeds ten times that of sound, making them impervious to current air defense systems.

In a recent interview with Russian media, Lavrov emphasized that despite the US’s unilateral exit from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, Moscow has adhered to the treaty’s fundamental restrictions established during the Cold War. However, he acknowledged that the self-imposed moratorium on deploying intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles is now nearly untenable, indicating that Russia may need to abandon it.

Lavrov criticized Washington for disregarding the appeals from both Moscow and Beijing to refrain from deploying this type of missile abroad. Consequently, he stated that Russia felt compelled to act, with the recent test of the advanced mid-range supersonic Oreshnik system, conducted under combat conditions, serving as a clear demonstration of Russia’s capabilities and resolve to implement necessary countermeasures.

The minister stated that the “destructive policy of the US has significantly undermined the foundations of strategic stability, with some areas being completely dismantled.” Lavrov further noted that given Washington’s current “extremely anti-Russian” position, Moscow has no plans to reinitiate arms control discussions with the US in the near future.

The official pointed out that Russia continues to observe certain limitations set by prior agreements. However, Moscow maintains the right to reassess these commitments in light of the evolving threats to its national security from the US and its NATO partners.

On Thursday, President Putin remarked that while Russia does not yet possess many of the Oreshnik systems, it does “not dismiss the possibility of utilizing them today or tomorrow if necessary.” He also confirmed that several units would be sent to Belarus, a close ally of Russia.

Earlier this month, Putin indicated that the development of the Oreshnik was a direct response to the US’s decision to deploy medium-range missiles in Western Europe.