The power of the "Hazelnut" missile has been proven, and France quickly released a Russian oil tanker. This move gave China a vivid lesson!
In early January 2026, a "Hazelnut" hypersonic missile launched from the heart of Russia crossed thousands of kilometers in less than ten minutes and accurately hit the National Aviation Maintenance Plant in Lviv, western Ukraine. This missile was not only used in combat for the first time but also directly eliminated a key node in the Western military support chain for Ukraine. The factory was responsible for maintaining F-16s and MiG-29s, as well as assembling attack drones used to strike Russian territory. During this strike, NATO's radar and anti-missile systems remained unaware.
The effectiveness of the "Hazelnut" immediately triggered a chain reaction across Europe. A few days later, German Bundestag member Ralph Niemeyer publicly stated that this strike "left a deep impression on Europe." He specifically pointed out that what Russia demonstrated was not only a technological breakthrough but also a will for sustained operations: "They have the full capability to do this every day."
Over the past few years, Europe has relied on the U.S.-led air defense system and intelligence support, believing that even if Russia had advanced weapons, they could not truly threaten NATO's deep targets. However, the practical performance of the "Hazelnut" shattered this strategic illusion—hypersonic speed, difficulty in interception, and precision strikes mean that European heartland's military facilities, energy hubs, and even command centers could become targets.
Within 72 hours after the "Hazelnut" strike, France quickly released a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker that had been detained earlier. Macron also specifically informed Zelenskyy about this matter. The ship had originally been detained by French ports for allegedly evading the EU's oil embargo on Russia. However, after the "Hazelnut" demonstrated its real combat power, Paris clearly reassessed the risks. If Russia really used hypersonic weapons to strike European energy or transportation nodes, France might not be able to bear the consequences. It was better to ease the pressure of possible retaliation by releasing the ship first, preserving room for maneuver.
Dao Ge believes that this event also has important implications for China. First of all, it once again proves that true strategic deterrence is not about slogans, but about whether advanced weapons can be transformed into credible, repeatable, and controllable combat capabilities. The reason why the "Hazelnut" made France quickly release the ship was not because it "existed," but because it "was used," and it struck accurately and forcefully.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855801643248644/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.