Russian missile relies on Western tech despite sanctions
The Oreshnik missile, which Russia launched towards Ukraine back in November, was built thanks to the West—at least according to findings by Financial Times journalists. The analysis reveals that Russian companies are still using advanced Western production equipment.
The Russian medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik, which was recently launched towards the city of Dnipro in Ukraine, was made using advanced Western production equipment despite existing sanctions.
Western technology in the Russian missile
Two key Russian military engineering institutes—the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT) and Sozvezdie—have been identified by Ukrainian intelligence as the creators of the Oreshnik. According to Financial Times, in 2024, both institutes posted job listings requiring knowledge of German and Japanese metal processing systems.
The job listings mentioned control systems from Fanuc (Japan), Siemens, and Heidenhain (both from Germany) for CNC machines, which are essential for missile production. Despite sanctions, Financial Times analysis showed that in 2024, Heidenhain components worth at least €2.9 million made their way to Russia, and some purchasers were closely linked to military production.
Mysterious Russian missile
Let's recall that not long ago, Ukrainians reported that in the remnants of the Oreshnik, they found parts marked with numbers suggesting that the missile was built using components manufactured in April 2017. This may indicate that Russian claims about the modernity of this weapon are false.
Currently, detailed information about the parameters of the Oreshnik missile is still lacking. Assuming this technology aligns with the RS-26 system, the missile's launch weight may range from approximately 40,000 to 50,000 kilograms. These rockets can traverse distances up to 5,950 kilometres, and the standard equipment includes four warheads, each with a yield of 0.3 megatons.
