Kremlin’s announcement of utilizing the advanced hypersonic Oreshnik missile during the recent aggressive assault on Ukraine seems to be linked to the strategic maneuvers between Putin and Trump rather than a mere display of military prowess. Moscow’s justification for the attack, citing a retaliatory strike against an alleged incident targeting President Putin’s residence in Russia, has been refuted by both Washington and Kyiv.
The controversy surrounding the alleged attack has led to a significant rift between the Trump administration and Moscow, which has been exacerbated by subsequent events such as the interception of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera by the US military. The Russian Ministry of Defence defended the assault, claiming it was a response to what they described as a “terrorist attack” on the Russian President’s residence, involving the deployment of various precision-guided weapons, including the Oreshnik missile system.
Despite the accusations of terrorism, particularly in light of previous attempts on Ukrainian President Zelensky’s life, the use of the Oreshnik missile in the assault on Ukraine, along with other weaponry, appears more symbolic than operational. While explosions were reported in Lviv, the emphasis placed by Moscow on the hypersonic Oreshnik missile deployment, though not unprecedented, holds symbolic significance.
President Putin’s strategic intent to deepen the divide between the Trump administration and NATO, possibly by highlighting the need for the US to secure Greenland due to the threat of hypersonic missiles, is evident. The US perceives Greenland as a critical location for detecting such missiles efficiently, given their speed and trajectory, which pose challenges for traditional defense systems. The recent attack in Ukraine not only caused widespread disruption but also served as a subtle reminder to Trump about the perceived necessity of securing Greenland.
The utilization of the Oreshnik missile could be interpreted as a veiled warning to Trump, aimed at intensifying tensions within NATO and reinforcing the existing discord between NATO members. This strategic move by Putin may reflect a sense of urgency to reestablish a rift between the US and NATO, potentially reshaping international alliances.