Sarmat, Oreshnik missiles can take out Europe’s entire military infrastructure — expert

Lead

A Russian military expert has claimed that a combined launch of Russia's Sarmat and Oreshnik missile systems could neutralize the entire NATO military infrastructure in Europe. The statement, reported by TASS, underscores Moscow's continued emphasis on its strategic deterrent capabilities amid ongoing tensions with the West.

Alexander Stepanov, a military expert at the Institute of Law and National Security of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, told TASS that the Sarmat system's maximum range exceeds 35,000 kilometers on a suborbital trajectory, making "no untouchable areas" on the planet. As for the Oreshnik system, he described it as a "second-tier deterrent" capable of covering continental Europe and even island nations within minutes. "These strike capabilities, when launched in concert, are sufficient to de facto neutralize the entire NATO military infrastructure in the European theater of operations," he said.

Coverage Comparison

This story is based exclusively on reporting from TASS, Russia's state news agency. The agency published three separate articles featuring statements from Russian officials and experts about the missile systems' capabilities. The articles focused on different aspects: one highlighted the Sarmat and Oreshnik's potential to neutralize NATO infrastructure, another emphasized the Oreshnik's ability to destroy underground facilities, and a third showcased comments from First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on the Sarmat's superiority over Western counterparts.

All three articles were reported from Moscow and drew on official Russian sources, reflecting the Kremlin's messaging on military modernization and strategic deterrence. No Western or independent sources were included in the reporting.

Key Claims

• Combined strike capability: Alexander Stepanov claimed that a combined launch of Sarmat and Oreshnik missiles could effectively neutralize NATO's military infrastructure in Europe. This assertion was carried by a single TASS article and has not been independently verified.

• Sarmat range: Stepanov, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that the Sarmat system has a maximum range exceeding 35,000 kilometers. The figure was also referenced in reporting on Putin's remarks about the missile being "four times more powerful than the most capable Western counterparts."

• Oreshnik coverage: The expert said the Oreshnik system can cover continental Europe and island nations "in a matter of minutes." This capability claim appeared in one TASS report.

• Conditions for use: Stepanov emphasized that the missile systems could only be used under "critical conditions," such as a direct threat to Russian sovereignty, particularly regarding the "militarization of our border areas" by European supporters of escalation.

• Underground infrastructure destruction: In a separate TASS article, Stepanov said the Oreshnik system could destroy enemy underground industrial infrastructure, citing its "kinetic potential" to penetrate "Soviet-era engineering legacy sites" housing Ukrainian drone and missile assembly facilities.

• Air defense penetration: The expert also claimed that Western air defense systems, including the Patriot, "do not react to hypersonic weapons" because they lack the technical characteristics to intercept such targets.

• Technological superiority: First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov stated that the Sarmat system "vastly outperforms" Western counterparts in combat capacity, and that Russia is "at least several years ahead" in the technologies used. He also commented on laser technologies with power ranging from 4 kW to 90 kW, used to protect critical infrastructure and counter drones.

Perspectives

Russian Official and Expert Viewpoint

The statements from Stepanov, Putin, and Manturov, as relayed by TASS, present the Sarmat and Oreshnik systems as formidable deterrents that significantly outmatch Western capabilities. The experts frame these weapons as necessary responses to NATO expansion and perceived Western aggression, positioning them as defensive tools to protect Russian sovereignty.

Western Analytical Perspective (Not Included)

Western military analysts generally view such claims with caution, noting that Russian state media often exaggerates capabilities for propaganda purposes. They point out that the actual operational effectiveness of hypersonic weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles depends on numerous factors, including guidance accuracy, countermeasures, and geopolitical context. The lack of independent verification of these claims is a common criticism.

Independent Verification Status

All claims in this article originate from Russian official sources or experts quoted by TASS. None of the claims have been independently verified by international observers or third-party analysts. The range figures and capability assertions align with publicly known characteristics of the Sarmat (RS-28) and Oreshnik systems, though their full performance remains classified.

This article is based on reporting from TASS, Russia's state news agency. It is important to note that the claims presented here have not been independently confirmed, and readers should consider the source's perspective when evaluating the information.