New satellite images have surfaced showing the aftermath of a missile strike on the Pivdenmash aerospace plant in Dnipro, Ukraine, following an attack by Russia’s latest missile, referred to by President Vladimir Putin as “Oreshnik.”
Contrary to Russian media claims, the images show that the aerospace plant sustained only minor damage, sparking frustration among Russian propagandists who had previously touted the complete destruction of the facility.
The satellite photographs, published after the November 2024 strike, reveal that much of the missile’s payload failed to reach its intended target. Instead, several missiles impacted nearby civilian areas, causing damage to residential homes, garages, and other private structures. The Pivdenmash plant itself, a significant site for Ukraine’s aerospace industry, appeared largely intact despite the strike.
The Kremlin-connected Romanov Light Telegram channel addressed the situation, stating, “Satellite images of Pivdenmash have appeared, showing the site after the ‘Oreshnik’ strike. The workshops are still there, nothing has been ‘reduced to dust.’ However, it seems that the residential area above was hit.” This comment reflects growing dissatisfaction among some Russian military commentators about the effectiveness of the strike.
Ilya Tumanov, a prominent figure in military circles and known from the fighterbomber Telegram channel, also expressed his disappointment: “The agonizing wait for proper satellite images is over. What has been shown to the world is some blurry nonsense, with no craters or workshops reduced to rubble and dust.” His remarks highlighted the unfulfilled expectations of destruction that Russian officials had claimed.
The decision to use the advanced “Oreshnik” missile, which has been described by Putin as a new super weapon, is facing criticism. Analysts argue that Putin’s emotional decision to deploy such a highly classified missile for a test strike has inadvertently handed Western experts an opportunity to study its components and technology. This represents the first confirmed use of this missile class in an active combat scenario globally.
Despite the missile being largely reduced to fragments after impact, Ukrainian military officials have confirmed that experts from Ukraine, together with international specialists, now have direct access to these remnants. According to Ukrainian officials, even fragmented pieces are valuable for studying the missile’s technology, materials, and potential innovations. The analysis of these components will be conducted in cooperation with Western partners, further enhancing the understanding of Russia’s latest weapons.
The missile strike and its aftermath illustrate the complexities of deploying new technology in warfare, particularly when high-profile systems are used in environments where they may fail to achieve their intended results. For Ukraine, the access to these missile components provides a rare opportunity to gain insights into one of Russia’s latest advanced weapon systems.