Russia Launches Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile Attack on Ukraine, Killing at Least Four

Russia has launched a significant overnight attack on Ukraine, deploying the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, killing at least four people and wounding twenty-two, causing widespread damage and raising international alarm. The attack marks only the second time Russia has used this advanced weapon, which is said to fly at ten times the speed of sound and is reportedly impossible to intercept.

Background/Context

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the execution of the strike on the night of January 9, including the use of the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile¹²³⁴. The attack was a response to an alleged attempted drone strike on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's residences⁵⁶. However, Ukraine and the U.S. have cast doubt on this claim, labeling it as an absurd lie⁵.

Key Developments

The attack targeted the Ukrainian city of Lviv, which is just 40 miles from the border with NATO-member Poland⁷. The Oreshnik missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and reaching any point within Ukraine⁸, was used in the attack on Lviv, marking the first ballistic missile attack against the city during the war⁹.

The attack resulted in four casualties in Kyiv due to drones⁴, and a mass attack across Ukraine also struck Kyiv and Lviv¹⁰. Russian officials said that hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles were used in the overnight attack³.

Implications and Reactions

The use of the Oreshnik missile near the EU border is seen as a challenge not only for Ukraine but also for other European countries¹¹. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for stronger action against Russia¹². Ukraine has also warned Warsaw about the possible use of the Oreshnik missile system¹³.

The attack prompted condemnation from world leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced Russia's use of the Oreshnik missile against Ukraine¹⁴.

The use of the Oreshnik missile has raised wider security implications for Europe and NATO¹⁵. Russian analysts suggest that the missile's deployment sent a message to Europe days after its leaders agreed to postwar security guarantees¹⁶.

Conclusion

The situation remains tense as Russia continues its attack on Ukraine using advanced weaponry. The use of the Oreshnik missile, in particular, has underlined the severity of the conflict and raised international concerns about the potential for escalation. Ukraine has called the attack a grave threat to the continent's security¹⁷.