Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has launched a high-speed Oreshnik missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, in an attack on Ukraine, with one missile landing close to a NATO member’s territory. The strike on the capital city Kyiv resulted in four fatalities and at least 22 injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. While Russian authorities have not confirmed the exact location of the missile impact, reports from military bloggers and local media suggest that some missiles targeted a large underground natural gas storage facility near the Lviv region, which shares a border with Poland.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the missile attack was in response to what Moscow alleges was a drone strike orchestrated by Ukraine on President Putin’s residence the previous month. However, Ukraine and US President Donald Trump have both denied these claims. Lviv mayor Andriy Sadoviy disclosed that Russia targeted critical infrastructure using a ballistic missile but did not provide further specifics. The missile reportedly traveled at speeds exceeding 8,000 miles per hour, and the precise type of rocket used is currently under investigation.
The Oreshnik missile, nicknamed after the hazelnut tree, was initially tested by Russia in November 2024 when it struck a Ukrainian factory. President Putin has boasted about the missile’s capabilities, stating that its multiple warheads travel at speeds reaching Mach 10, making interception impossible. He also highlighted that a conventional strike using several Oreshnik missiles could be as destructive as a nuclear attack, as the missile is capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
Following the recent strike on Ukraine, which included an attack on the capital city, casualties included an emergency medical aid worker, as confirmed by Kyiv city military administration head Tymur Tkachenko. Furthermore, five rescue workers sustained injuries while responding to the attack sites. Damage was reported in various districts, with incidents like drones crashing onto buildings, fires breaking out, and disruptions to essential services such as water and electricity in parts of Kyiv.
The assault occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned the nation about Russia’s plans for a large-scale offensive. Zelenskyy highlighted Russia’s potential exploitation of the icy conditions caused by freezing weather in the capital, creating hazardous road and street conditions.