Vladimir Putin has deployed the Oreshnik missile, capable of reaching speeds up to 8,000mph, in a series of strikes on Ukraine. The attacks targeted Europe’s largest underground gas storage facility on the outskirts of Lviv, approximately 40 miles away from NATO and EU territories, causing widespread destruction. These strikes, which included massive attacks on civilians in Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelensky’s birthplace, Kryvyi Rih, intensified the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The missile, launched from the Astrakhan region in Russia, reached Lviv in less than 15 minutes, creating a spectacle of bright flashes in the night sky. Speculation arose regarding the nature of the ballistic weapon used by Russia, with many pointing to the Oreshnik missile system due to its extraordinary speed. The Russian defense ministry confirmed the use of the Oreshnik missile, citing a supposed Ukrainian attempt on Putin’s palace in Novgorod as the reason for the strike, although Western intelligence and Ukraine deny such an attack.
The strike, described by the Moscow defense ministry as a response to the alleged terrorist attack on Putin’s residence, targeted key facilities in Ukraine, including drone production sites and energy infrastructure supporting the military-industrial complex. The foreign minister of Ukraine condemned the attack as a serious threat to European security and urged international allies to take notice of the danger posed by Russia’s actions.
The Oreshnik missile system, known for its speed and destructive capabilities, was previously used in Dnipro in 2024 as a show of force without a warhead. The missile’s proximity to Ukraine and NATO territory in Belarus raised concerns about its potential impact on regional stability. Despite claims of conventional warheads, the Oreshnik system’s extreme temperature upon impact demonstrates its devastating power.
Putin’s persistent military actions in Ukraine, including the recent strikes on Lviv, Kyiv, and other regions, indicate a disregard for calls for peace and escalation of the conflict. The volatile situation in the region continues to worsen, with both sides engaging in deadly attacks on civilians and infrastructure. The use of advanced weaponry like the Oreshnik missile system underscores the gravity of the crisis and the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further bloodshed.