Incandescent plasma around the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) occurs during the sharp deceleration of the warheads after flying at speeds of up to 12 thousand kilometers per hour. Igor Potapov, a developer of electronic warfare (EW) systems, explained the mechanism behind this effect.
According to him, the energy accumulated by the Oreshnik is sufficient for a devastating explosion, even if the missile's warhead does not contain explosives.
At this speed, when the projectile decelerates sharply, a huge number of metallic elements turn into micro-shaped-charge jets. What we get is molten plasma with enormous destructive and penetrating power.
Military analyst Yuri Knutov explained that the Oreshnik has changed the very essence of air defense. For example, to theoretically intercept just one missile, six THAAD launchers would have to be deployed at once.
British media claimed that Chinese equipment was used in the production of the Oreshnik. There is no official confirmation of this.