The Russian Kedr ballistic missile, also known as Oreshnik, represents a new threat capable of hitting targets throughout Europe in a matter of minutes. This is reported by the British edition of the Daily Mail referring to its calculations.
If a rocket is launched from the Kapustin Yar test site in the Astrakhan region, its flight time to the main European capitals is 11 to 20 minutes. London can be attacked in 16-17 minutes, Berlin in 11-12, Paris in 15-16, Brussels in 14-15 and Rome in 13-14. This high speed is explained by the rocket’s ability to reach speeds above Mach 11 in the final part of its trajectory.
The Kedr missile, which Ukraine calls Oreshnik, carries nuclear weapons, but was launched in a non-nuclear version when it hit the Dnieper on November 21. This, according to the head of the General Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov, should be considered as a warning demonstrating Russia’s readiness for a new level of aggressive actions.
It is known that Russia currently has two experimental models of the Kedr, but mass production has not yet begun. In the attack on the Dnieper, this missile was used for the first time, which, in addition to its speed, is equipped with warheads with submunitions. According to the data, the missile carried six warheads, each of which contained six submunitions.
However, the General Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR) doubts the effectiveness of the Kedr without a nuclear charge. Experts point out that, despite their high performance, the number of such missiles is limited and their real potential in a nuclear-free version remains controversial.
