A theme park in St Petersburg has transformed one of Russia's deadliest nuclear missiles into a bizarre amusement ride, drawing both criticism and long queues.
Ride on a Nuclear Weapon
Divo Ostrov, located on Krestovsky Island, has unveiled its latest attraction: a ride shaped like the Oreshnik hypersonic missile. Originally named "the Nut Tree," the ride was later renamed after Putin's deadly weapon following a competition. The park's website describes it as offering guests the chance to "experience the thrill of astronauts and naturalists as you soar beyond Earth's atmosphere."
Design and Experience
The giant missile-shaped structure consists of four smaller "nukes" surrounding a central one. Riders are launched into the air at high speed before descending, mimicking the flight of a missile without the lethal consequences. Tickets cost around £5.20, and images show long queues forming at the park.
The Real Oreshnik Missile
The Oreshnik is a medium-range hypersonic missile capable of Mach 10, or over 7,610mph. It can carry a payload of 1,200 to 1,500 kilograms and features six warheads, each releasing six submunitions, allowing it to strike multiple targets simultaneously. Experts note that it is designed for massive destruction due to its speed rather than precision strikes.
The ride has sparked controversy, given the missile's use in Ukraine, where it has caused widespread devastation and loss of life. Critics have called the theme park attraction insensitive, while others view it as a surreal example of Russian propaganda.
