In a significant escalation of its military campaign, Russia has deployed one of its most advanced and rarely used weapons against Ukraine. Ukrainian security forces confirmed that a Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile was fired during a massive overnight assault targeting infrastructure close to the European Union's border.
Details of the Overnight Barrage
The attack occurred on the night of January 8–9, as part of a broader offensive where Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine. The Ukrainian Security Service, the SBU, published photographs of missile debris recovered near the western city of Lviv on Friday, identifying key components of the Oreshnik system.
These components included the missile's stabilisation and guidance unit, often called its "brains," along with engine parts and nozzles. Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi confirmed a ballistic missile struck critical infrastructure, travelling at an astonishing speed of approximately 13,000 kilometres per hour (Mach 10).
The SBU accused the Kremlin of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure near the EU border to destroy the region's life-support systems amid harsh winter weather. The assault had deadly consequences, killing at least four people in Kyiv and leaving nearly half the capital without heating during sub-zero temperatures.
What is the Oreshnik Missile?
The Oreshnik is a formidable weapon in Russia's arsenal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted it as a "state-of-the-art" system that modern air defences cannot intercept. It is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometres, putting all of Europe within its potential strike zone.
Putin claims the missile travels at hypersonic speeds and carries multiple warheads, comparing its descent to "a meteorite." While Russia states it can be used conventionally without nuclear contamination, Western analysts warn it is nuclear-capable. Ukraine reported the missile was launched from Russia's Kapustin Yar test range near Volgograd. This marks only the second known use of the weapon, following a strike on Dnipro in November 2024.
International Response and Wider Impact
The attack has drawn sharp condemnation and calls for a stronger global response. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's allies for a "clear response," emphasising that Russia only yields to firm international pressure. The strike damaged not only apartment buildings and critical infrastructure but also diplomatic premises, including the Qatari embassy.
Russian media sources suggested the target was an underground natural gas storage facility near key supply routes for Western military aid entering from Poland, though Moscow has not officially confirmed this. The attack underscores rising tensions between Russia and the West, occurring amid stalled peace efforts and disputes over sanctions and security guarantees for Kyiv.
This deployment of a high-value, experimental weapon like the Oreshnik signals Moscow's intent to intensify pressure on Ukraine and its supporters during a critical winter period.
