The uncompromising Kremlin disinformation operation "Oreshnik" - Alexander Kovalenko.

Hazelnut… The new demon of the mundane!

Here we go. In Belarus, Russia is set to deploy some "Hazelnut" and threaten all of Europe, under which guidelines for flight times to NATO capitals have already started circulating… Seriously? Simultaneously, it has been reported that from December 10 to 13, the airspace over the Kapustin Yar testing ground will be closed.

It creates the impression that Putin's criminal regime is maximizing the promotion of "Hazelnut," much like Adolf Hitler did in his dying breath, broadcasting to loyal citizens the narrative of some Wunderwaffe.

Now, let’s get to the point. What is "Hazelnut"?

The examination is ongoing and I do not claim to hold the essence of primordial universal truth, but "Hazelnut," or "Cedar," or "Khetkh," or whatever you want to call it, is evidently either the RS-26 "Rubezh" or, what few dare to mention, the old Soviet RSD-10 "Pioneer."

Notably, both intercontinental systems do not possess conventional warheads and can only be used with a nuclear component. This means that if expensive targets, valued at up to 100 million dollars due to their uniqueness, are to be launched at peaceful cities, they would only be as empty decoys.

An empty decoy, costing 100 million dollars, has a specific strike potential of 25 kilograms in TNT equivalent for each of its pseudo-strike components.

The strike on the Dnieper was supposed to vividly demonstrate that "Hazelnut" is a worthless Wunderwaffe, representing a destructive potential weaker than the average 9M723 OTRK "Iskander" in its conventional form. Yet, Russian propaganda is desperately trying to scare everyone with this "wonder weapon."

I want to note that on November 21, when the strike on the Dnieper occurred, Putin appeared on air, spinning tales about the new Russian super-rocket: "The missiles strike the target at a speed of 10 Mach, which is 2.5-3 kilometers per second. Modern air defense systems in the world and missile defense systems being developed by the Americans in Europe cannot intercept such missiles. It’s impossible."

It's amusing that all these parameters apply to the 47M2 "Dagger," 3M22 "Zircon," which also have the capability to carry a nuclear warhead, but unlike the RS-26 "Rubezh" and RSD-10 "Pioneer," do not possess a conventional one.

At that time, the question arose – why create a new hypersonic missile when there are "Daggers" and "Zircons"? Furthermore, the performance characteristics are similar – 10 Mach or even more for the X-47M2 "Dagger," which can be successfully intercepted by Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems.

And there’s no need. Moreover, under current conditions, conducting such R&D is simply impossible. Russia lacks new types of fuel, as well as new types of engines. To date, Russia is a technically and technologically backward country, not so much creating something new as reviving old forgotten Soviet designs. Therefore, I do not rule out the revival of the RSD-10 "Pioneer."

But a cornered rat urgently needs to frighten Europe, intimidate Ukrainians, and scare the newly elected president of the USA! And what emerges is not a superweapon, but the uncompromising Kremlin IPSO named "Hazelnut." A convulsion of the Putin regime aimed at intimidation.

I cannot guarantee that everyone will truly understand the senselessness and absurdity of this IPSO, but as we can see, it is being conducted at the highest level. The main broadcaster of this narrative has become the war criminal Putin himself, and he does not miss a single opportunity to promote his patch in the outfit of the naked king.

It would just be nice if everyone understood that the king is naked, and "Hazelnut" is a rotten and empty fruit.