Camilla Jessen
Glowing lights over Kazakhstan spark missile rumors.
On the evening of June 5, residents across Kazakhstan, including the capital Astana, reported witnessing unusual glowing objects streaking across the sky.
Videos shared on social media captured these luminous phenomena, prompting widespread speculation.
Some Russian Telegram channels suggested the lights were linked to the Oreshnik missile, a hypersonic weapon developed by Russia.
Official Response from Kazakhstan
The Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan swiftly addressed the public’s concerns, stating that there had been no violations of the country’s airspace.
In an official statement, the ministry emphasized that the observed phenomena likely resembled remnants of a spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere or a meteor shower.
Such objects typically burn up upon entering the Earth’s dense atmospheric layers and pose no threat to the population.
WP Tech reports that the ministry then urged citizens to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information.
Understanding the Oreshnik Missile
The Oreshnik missile, officially known as the RS-26 Rubezh, is a Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 10 (approximately 12,300 km/h or 7,610 mph).
Designed to carry multiple warheads, each with destructive power, the missile has a range of up to 6,000 kilometers.
While its development has been shrouded in secrecy, the Oreshnik has garnered attention due to its advanced capabilities and potential implications for global security.
No Confirmed Missile Activity
Despite the speculations, there is no concrete evidence linking the observed lights over Kazakhstan to any missile activity, including the Oreshnik.
The Kazakh Ministry of Defense has not reported any missile launches or tests in the region during the time of the sightings.
Experts suggest that the lights could be attributed to natural atmospheric events or space debris re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
See the video here.