Russia deployed its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in Ukraine during widespread overnight attacks on January 8-9, striking near the city of Lviv, approximately 60-70 kilometers from the Polish border. This event, marking the second reported use of the Oreshnik, prompted an emergency UN Security Council meeting and drew condemnation from international bodies and Western allies. Russia stated the strikes were in response to an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence, a claim denied by Ukraine and rejected by U.S. officials. The attacks resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage, particularly in Kyiv, while Ukraine conducted retaliatory drone strikes on Russian targets.
Oreshnik Missile Strike Details
On January 8-9, Russia launched its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile as part of a large-scale bombardment across Ukraine. The missile struck near Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, located approximately 60-70 kilometers from the border with Poland, a NATO member state. Ukrainian officials reported identifying components of the Oreshnik system following the strike in Lviv. This deployment marks the second reported use of the Oreshnik missile since the conflict began. Its first reported use was against Dnipro, Ukraine, in November.
Missile Specifications and Capabilities
The Oreshnik is characterized as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with hypersonic capabilities, reportedly traveling at speeds up to Mach 10 (approximately 13,000 kilometers per hour), making it challenging to intercept. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated the weapon travels "like a meteorite."
Key features of the Oreshnik include:
- Speed: Travels at speeds exceeding Mach 5, up to 13,000 km/h.
- Maneuverability: Capable of mid-flight maneuvers, which complicates interception.
- Warheads: Designed to carry multiple warheads and can be equipped with conventional or nuclear payloads. However, there was no indication of nuclear warheads being used in this attack, and Ukrainian sources indicated prior uses involved non-explosive dummy warheads. The warhead is believed to fragment into multiple independently targeted inert projectiles during its final descent.
- Range: Reported ranges vary, with some sources citing approximately 1,000-1,600 kilometers and others up to 5,500 kilometers. Its parent system, the RS-26 Rubezh, has a known range of 5,800 kilometers.
- Deployment: Russia recently released video showing the deployment of the Oreshnik system in Belarus.
Impact and Casualties
The Oreshnik strike was part of a broader Russian offensive that included hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles targeting various Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
- Kyiv: The attacks reportedly caused four fatalities and between 10 to 25 injuries. Damage was reported to 20 residential buildings and the embassy of Qatar. Power outages and heating disruptions affected significant portions of the city, with temperatures recorded at -5 degrees Celsius.
- Lviv: Authorities reported explosions and a ballistic missile strike on a critical infrastructure facility. While Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stated there were no reported casualties and civilian facilities were not affected, other reports indicated damage to gas distribution pipelines.
UN Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo noted the intensified Russian attacks were causing "horrific" destruction, and a spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general noted civilian casualties and disruption of essential services.
Stated Motivations and International Reactions
Russia's Defense Ministry stated its latest attacks were conducted in response to an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on a residence of President Vladimir Putin in December. This claim was:
- Denied by Ukraine: Ukrainian officials rejected involvement, describing the allegation as an "absurd lie" or "fabrication."
- Rejected by the U.S.: U.S. officials and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency assessed that Ukraine did not target a Putin residence.
- Met with skepticism: Former U.S. President Donald Trump and the European Union expressed skepticism regarding Russia's claims.
The United States accused Russia of escalating the nearly four-year conflict, specifically citing the Oreshnik launch near a NATO ally's border. An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was convened, where U.S. Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce urged both sides to de-escalate.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized the strike near EU and NATO borders as "a grave threat to the security on the European continent and a test for the transatlantic community," calling for "strong responses" and tougher international measures against Russia. European allies, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, viewed the incident as a clear escalation and a warning. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated such gestures would not be effective, reaffirming support for Ukraine.
Broader Context and Diplomatic Landscape
The recent attacks occurred as the U.S. government, under President Trump, is attempting to advance negotiations toward peace in Ukraine. Reports indicated progress between Ukraine and its allies on defense agreements, contingent on a potential U.S.-led peace deal.
Tensions between Moscow and Washington have increased, coinciding with Russia's condemnation of a U.S. seizure of an oil tanker and President Trump's signaling of support for new sanctions against Russia. Russia has also reiterated that European troops deployed to Ukraine under a peace deal would be considered "legitimate targets," consistently opposing Western military presence.
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated that military operations would continue until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agrees to "realistic conditions for negotiations." In contrast, Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Andriy Melnyk suggested Russia's economy is slowing and its oil revenue is down. Analysts suggested Russia's goal might be to prolong peace talks while continuing its military actions.
Overall Offensive and Ukrainian Response
During the overnight period, the Ukrainian Air Force reported Russia launched a total of 36 to 121 missiles and 242 drones. Russia's Defense Ministry stated its forces used aviation, drones, missiles, and artillery to target Ukrainian energy facilities and fuel-storage depots. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia aimed to "create chaos and apply psychological pressure" with these attacks. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that heat supply in Kyiv was expected to be fully restored, with emergency blackouts gradually ceasing. However, restoring power on the left bank of the Dnieper River, which sustained significant damage, was described as more challenging.
In a separate development, Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on the Zhutovskaya oil depot in Russia's southern Volgograd region, reportedly supplying fuel to Russian forces. The strike resulted in a fire, with no immediate casualties reported. Ukraine targets Russian energy sites to reduce Moscow's oil export revenue, while Russia targets Ukraine's power grid, a tactic observed repeatedly in winter months.