Russia has indicated it may supply Venezuela with advanced hypersonic missiles, including the Oreshnik and Kalibr, as tensions with the United States escalate in the region. This follows increased U.S. military presence near Venezuelan waters and reports of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro seeking military assistance from Russia, China, and Iran. The deployment of such missiles, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, could drastically increase tensions. The U.S. has not officially responded, but the possibility of such an action presents a significant escalation of rhetoric between the nations.
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Russia Fired the Zircon Hypersonic Missile During Military Drills
The recent reports of Russia firing its Zircon hypersonic missile during military drills are certainly generating a buzz. It’s hard not to be intrigued by this technology, even if the initial impressions are a bit mixed. This missile, first launched back in 2017, is designed to travel at incredible speeds – “hypersonic” means it can go faster than five times the speed of sound. While this capability is impressive on paper, there are some reported limitations that are worth considering.
One of the primary challenges with the Zircon seems to be its targeting capabilities at such extreme speeds.… Continue reading
Despite over $531 billion in government spending since 1962, resulting in largely ineffective missile defense systems, the current program boasts a budget exceeding $30 billion annually. The existing 44 ground-based interceptors are deemed insufficient, leading to an $18 billion contract for a replacement system. Claims of near-perfect protection against various missile threats, including hypersonic missiles, are made despite the historical lack of success in creating a truly reliable defense against long-range nuclear missiles. The substantial financial investment underscores the significant profit potential within the missile defense industry.
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France’s rearmament efforts include a €1.5 billion investment to reinstate nuclear weapons at the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur air base near the German border by 2035, deploying F5 Rafale fighter jets and ASN4G hypersonic missiles. This strategic move, following discussions about France’s nuclear deterrent, will see the base’s personnel double to 2,000. Further bolstering its air power, France will order additional Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. President Macron emphasized the necessity of continued defense preparedness in Europe.
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President Trump again asserted that Russia acquired US hypersonic missile plans, claiming theft occurred during the Obama administration. He specified that a “bad person” provided the designs to Russia, while simultaneously boasting of the US’s imminent development of superior hypersonic missiles. This claim echoes previous statements by Trump and former advisor John Bolton. The Kremlin previously denied the allegation, asserting independent development of their own technology.
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Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has mass-produced the Ching Tien hypersonic cruise missile, boasting a range exceeding 2,000 km and potentially reaching targets as far as Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. To improve deployment, the military is procuring mobile launch vehicles, primarily from Czech manufacturer Tatra, for these missiles. This initiative, including the “Feiji No. 2” project, represents a significant advancement in Taiwan’s deep-strike capabilities, marking the first deployment of such long-range strategic weapons. The Ching Tien system’s extended range is achieved through upgrades from the earlier Ching Tien supersonic cruise missile.
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Ukraine’s military intelligence reported heavy losses and logistical problems, including water shortages, for North Korean troops fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, following Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka. President Zelenskyy estimated 3,000 North Korean casualties, while Russia continues its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including a Christmas morning barrage and attacks throughout the week. Amidst this ongoing conflict, Russia threatens further use of its Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, while Ukraine retaliated with drone strikes targeting Russian military production facilities.
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In a recent address, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia may deploy its novel hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, to strike key Ukrainian decision-making centers in Kyiv. This missile, deployed to Dnipro on November 21st, is described as having unparalleled speed and precision, capable of destroying even heavily fortified targets without nuclear warheads. Putin emphasized the weapon’s accuracy and the absence of radioactive fallout. The Oreshnik’s deployment comes amidst intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and military sites.
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Russia’s newly deployed “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile, successfully used in a strike on Dnipro, is reportedly impervious to Western air defenses and can reach European capitals within minutes, according to Dmitry Medvedev. This claim, coupled with the missile’s potential for nuclear warhead deployment, has prompted concerns among Ukraine’s allies and an emergency NATO meeting. While Ukraine disputes the missile’s invulnerability and provided missile fragments for analysis, Russia asserts its right to retaliate against countries enabling attacks on Russian territory. The use of the Oreshnik follows Ukraine’s recent use of Western-supplied missiles against targets within Russia.
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Russia launched an experimental hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, striking a military facility in Dnipro, prompting emergency talks between NATO and Ukraine. Putin framed the attack as retaliation for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles, claiming the Oreshnik, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, is unmatched globally and will continue to be tested. This escalation, described by Polish Prime Minister Tusk as a decisive phase of the war, has led to heightened security measures in Kyiv and sparked concerns amongst Western leaders about further Russian actions. The attack, while resulting in no reported fatalities in Dnipro, underscores the intensifying conflict and Russia’s demonstrable technological advancements in weaponry.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood