The U.S. called the Walnut launch the start of a new missile era for Europe

The new Russian missile "Oreshnik" even in non-nuclear configuration poses a direct and potentially devastating threat to the European Union (EU). This was reported by The Washington Post on November 30, citing the opinions of experts and analysts.

"According to analysts, the "Nuttall", which means "nut tree", poses a direct and potentially devastating threat to Europe, even if it is armed with conventional weapons", - writes author Robin Dixon.

It is noted that Western military experts see the new ballistic missile tested by Russia as a strong signal that Russia is ready to prevail in Ukraine.

"Some Western arms experts see this as the first shot in a new European arms race that could last for decades," the publication says.

Alexander Gref, a senior fellow at the Hamburg-based Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy, said Europe is now "on the cusp of a new missile era."

"We are in an arms race, and it will develop over the next 20 years," he said.

In turn, Dekker Eveleth of the CNA security think tank urged to take Russian President Vladimir Putin's rhetoric seriously.

"Russia can destroy air bases and military targets over a large area of Europe with just a few Oreshnikovs equipped with conventional weapons, and the nuclear potential of these weapons carries an even more serious threat," he told the publication.

"The power of impact is colossal." What Putin said about the capabilities of "Oreshnik"

Earlier, on November 27, retired U.S. Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson told Izvestia that U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles are like "children's toys" compared to the capabilities of Russia's Oreshnik ballistic missile. If necessary, he said, the Russian army could completely destroy NATO infrastructure in Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Nov. 21 that Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons against the Russian state, causing the regional conflict to acquire elements of a global conflict.

He said that in response, Russia had conducted a test of one of Russia's newest medium-range missile systems, the Oreshnik ballistic missile, under combat conditions.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.