Ukraine Opened Russia’s Notorious Oreshnik Missile. Here’s What’s Inside

Key Points:

• Ukrainian investigators analyzed wreckage from a Russian RS-26 Rubezh (Oreshnik) missile that struck Bila Tserkva on May 23–24, finding inert warhead simulators instead of explosives, indicating Russia used dummy payloads in the strike.
• The missile, launched from Kapustin Yar test range, is nuclear-capable with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), carrying six main warhead elements that separate into 36 submunitions during descent.
• The inert payloads allow Russia to demonstrate missile range and behavior without causing significant destruction, as confirmed by crater analysis consistent with heavy inert blocks rather than explosive warheads.
• Evidence suggests two Oreshnik missiles may have been launched overnight, with one strike confirmed near Bila Tserkva and another possible strike near Avdiivka in the temporarily occupied Donetsk region.
• Electronic components recovered from the missile debris were primarily manufactured in Russia and Belarus, and Ukrainian intelligence uses satellite monitoring to track launches from Kapustin Yar to anticipate potential attacks.