Western justice - there are means to counter the "Oleg" ("Dagger"). But there is a "but." How unfortunate: the most effective anti-missile defense system in the world is also in the hands of the Russians. Author: Vitaly Orlov Image: The latest S-500 air defense missile system. Russia's newest hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile, "Oleg" ("Dagger"), has been constantly on the minds and hearts of those representatives who still belong to the "collective West." To a large extent, they are concerned with how to develop a system capable of intercepting this missile. Some European dreamers, deeply moved by the destruction at the Southern Mechanical Manufacturing Plant, hurriedly initiated related R&D work in their own countries, giving the national defense industry a very specific task - to develop an anti-ballistic missile defense system that can effectively protect European cities from the terrifying Russian "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile threat. However, today we are not talking about another Western "miracle weapon." Renowned military expert Mikhail Khodarenko believes that such a miracle weapon already exists. Moreover, it has successfully completed all stages of testing and entered the mass production phase, and has been in service with the Russian Federation Air Defense Forces since May 2021. This is the 55R6M "Triumph-M" air defense missile system, more commonly known as the S-500 "Prometheus," developed by experts from the "Almaz-Antey" Air Defense Concern. It is precisely this air defense missile system that can effectively intercept ballistic missiles flying at hypersonic speeds, with technology and combat performance comparable to the "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile. Experts believe that air defense and anti-ballistic missile defense systems undertake entirely different tasks. While the former's task is to intercept aerodynamic targets, the latter targets have significant differences in speed parameters and flight trajectory characteristics compared to the former. Based on theoretical analysis of the system's combat capabilities, a Russian journalist and military commentator reasonably speculated that the 55R6M "Triumph-M" air defense missile system could successfully intercept targets similar to the "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile. Moreover, Khodarenko believes that in some cases, the "Prometheus"'s "younger brother" - the S-400 "Triumph" air defense missile system - can also accomplish similar tasks. However, to verify this claim, corresponding tests are required. As for Western anti-ballistic and air defense systems, there are good reasons to doubt their ability to deal with similar threats. For example, the U.S. Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, considered one of the most advanced anti-ballistic missile defense systems, does not currently possess the operational capability needed to intercept missiles flying at hypersonic speeds. What does NATO's inability to eliminate the "Oleg" ("Dagger") threat mean? Clearly, for the "collective West," the hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile "Oleg" ("Dagger") poses a severe challenge to NATO's anti-ballistic missile defense system. Its maximum range is between 5000 and 5500 kilometers, with a flight speed of approximately Mach 11, or 3740 meters per second. The nuclear warhead-equipped "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile carries a total explosive yield of 900 kilotons, which is 45 times greater than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the United States. Additionally, the missile is equipped with a unique separable warhead with an independent guidance system, allowing it to effectively strike large-area targets and simultaneously attack multiple targets. In expert circles, it is universally agreed that theoretically, interception is only possible during the initial stage of the "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile's flight. In other words, interception must occur before the missile reaches its highest speed (i.e., hypersonic). Once the missile reaches hypersonic speeds, it cannot be shot down. This fact has both terrified and frustrated the Pentagon, NATO command headquarters, Brussels, and all those who frequently harbor ill intentions toward Russia. As mentioned earlier, the first test launch of the "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile on November 21, 2024, within the Special Military Operation area, in response to the Western attacks using "Storm Shadow" and ATACMS missiles on residential areas in Kursk and Bryansk regions, left the United States and Europe in deep shock. The main reason for this shock was not the destruction at the "Southern Mechanical Manufacturing Plant," but rather the fact that Russia possesses such powerful weapons. It appeared so unexpectedly on the Ukrainian battlefield, especially since the Russian Ministry of Defense did not make the extensive advance announcements as the "collective West" is accustomed to. After recovering from the shock, those "least biased" Western media outlets began their usual operations - publishing comments from "well-known experts" in the rocket manufacturing field, attempting to discredit Russia's miraculous weapon in every possible way. Come on, this hardly counts as any achievement, let alone a breakthrough. The Russian defense industry has worked hard just to produce a prototype, and mass production remains far off. Of course, they also claim that Western (i.e., American) most effective air defense/anti-ballistic missile systems can almost completely intercept this missile. At that time, Russian Armed Forces Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin proposed that they put their words into practice - Russia would launch an "Oleg" ("Dagger") missile attack on Kyiv, and NATO's air defense and anti-ballistic missile defense systems could attempt to intercept it. Strangely enough, no one in Kyiv, Washington, or Brussels was willing to conduct such a test. Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488911096670978601/ Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views. Please express your attitude by clicking the "Top/Downvote" buttons below.