Russia Launches Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile Near Ukraine’s Border with EU
In a dramatic escalation overnight, Russia fired a high-speed hypersonic missile, known as the Oreshnik, near Ukraine’s border with the European Union. Kyiv has denounced the strike as a serious threat to European security that calls for an international response.
Background and Moscow’s Justification
Moscow claims the missile launch was in retaliation for an alleged drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences last month in the Novgorod region. Ukraine has categorically denied involvement, while the United States has stated the attack on Putin’s residence likely did not occur. Kyiv has labeled Russia’s narrative an “absurd lie” aimed at undermining peace negotiations.
The Oreshnik Missile
- The Oreshnik, named after the hazel tree, is designed to deliver power projection across Europe.
- Moscow asserts the missile is impossible to intercept and capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although there is no indication it was armed with such weapons this time.
- This marks only the second known use of the Oreshnik missile in the conflict, with the previous launch occurring in November 2024.
Impact of the Attack
Ukrainian officials reported that the Oreshnik missile struck the Lviv region, roughly 60 kilometers away from the Polish border, targeting infrastructure that local media described as a large underground gas storage facility. Moscow stated its aim was a drone factory and energy infrastructure associated with the alleged attack on Putin’s residence.
Alongside the Oreshnik strike, Russia launched 36 missiles and 242 drones against western Ukraine and the Kyiv region. The barrage caused significant damage in Kyiv, resulting in:
- At least four fatalities and more than 20 injuries
- Power outages affecting over half a million households
- Disruptions to water and heating services amid sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall
International and Ukrainian Responses
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the strike as a direct security threat to both the EU and NATO borders, criticizing Russia’s justification as based on “hallucinations.” He emphasized the global nature of the threat and called for worldwide action.
Germany strongly condemned the missile attack, with government spokesman Steffen Meyer labeling the strike as an act of escalation aimed at intimidation, which he declared ultimately ineffective.
Additional Details
- The Oreshnik was launched just before midnight, reportedly traveling at speeds around 13,000 kilometers per hour.
- Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that the missile successfully hit its intended targets.
- Videos released by Russian war correspondents purportedly capture the missile impact, showing multiple flashes and detonations over a snowy landscape; however, these clips have not been independently verified.
Peace Talks and Broader Context
The strike comes amid ongoing discussions in Paris where Ukrainian and US envoys, along with allied representatives, are attempting to finalize a peace framework that could be presented to Russia. The attack is viewed by Kyiv and its allies as a maneuver to derail these diplomatic efforts.
