In a significant escalation of its military campaign, Russia launched one of its most advanced weapons, the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, against Ukraine overnight on Thursday. This marks the first use of this formidable missile system in over a year, as Moscow intensifies attacks amid freezing winter conditions.
A Rare and Advanced Weapon Unleashed
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed on Friday that its armed forces carried out a "massive strike with high-precision long-range land- and sea-based weapons." This coordinated assault included the deployment of the mobile Oreshnik medium-range missile system. While Russian authorities did not specify the exact target, Ukrainian officials reported that a ballistic missile struck a critical infrastructure facility in the western city of Lviv.
Ukraine's Air Force tracked the missile, which was traveling at an astonishing approximately 13,000 kilometers per hour along a ballistic trajectory—a speed roughly ten times the speed of sound. Experts noted that the exact type would be confirmed after examining recovered fragments. The Oreshnik is known for its capability to carry multiple warheads, which can be fitted with either conventional or nuclear payloads, and its range is considered sufficient to reach across Europe.
This weapon was first used in November 2024 against the city of Dnipro, even while still under development. Last month, Moscow released footage showing the Oreshnik system deployed in neighboring Belarus, a close Russian ally.
Winter Assault on Energy and Civilian Life
The Oreshnik strike was part of a broader overnight assault involving 36 missiles and 242 drones fired by Russian forces, according to Ukraine's Air Force. In the capital, Kyiv, drone strikes that began around midnight hit residential areas and damaged critical infrastructure. The attacks plunged large parts of the city into darkness as temperatures dropped to minus five degrees Celsius. City authorities reported that four people were killed and at least ten others were injured in the capital.
In Lviv, local officials stated there were no immediate reports of casualties from the missile strike and that civilian buildings were not affected. However, reports and social media posts, including one from journalist Diana Panchenko, suggested the strike may have targeted crucial underground gas storage facilities in Stryi. These facilities are among the largest in Europe and play a key role in gas transit and regional energy security.
This pattern aligns with Russia's recent strategy of stepping up attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during winter, a tactic aimed at leaving tens of thousands without electricity or heating in extreme cold. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that the goal is to sow chaos and exert psychological pressure on civilians.
Escalating Tensions and International Fallout
The missile strike near the borders of the European Union and NATO prompted a strong reaction from Ukraine's Foreign Minister, who called it a serious threat to European security and demanded a robust international response. Russia justified the latest wave of attacks as retaliation for what it claimed was a Ukrainian attempt to strike President Vladimir Putin's residence last month—a claim disputed by US officials.
The escalation occurs amid sharply rising tensions between Russia and the West. Moscow recently reiterated that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine under a future peace deal would be considered "legitimate targets," following pledges by the UK and France to potentially send forces. Furthermore, the recent seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker by US forces in the Atlantic Ocean has heightened diplomatic strains. The US stated the vessel was sanctioned for carrying illicit oil, while Russia condemned the move as a violation of international maritime law. The Kremlin has yet to comment publicly on the tanker seizure or the broader diplomatic fallout from these latest developments.
