Russia Fires Oreshnik Missile Amid Ukraines Plea for Increased Ally Pressure

Kyiv Labels Russia’s Missile Strike as ‘Grave Threat’ to European Security

Ukraine has condemned the use of a newly developed missile by Russia in strikes on western Ukraine, labeling it a “grave threat” to European security. The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that it had used the Oreshnik missile in overnight attacks on Kyiv and Lviv, which killed four people and injured at least 22.

Russia stated that the military employed the new intermediate-range ballistic missile as part of a barrage of strikes. Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed that the missile travelled at a speed of 13,000km/h (more than 8,000mph) and is being investigated for its specific type.

Moscow first used the Oreshnik missile in November 2024, targeting a military factory in Ukraine. At that time, Ukrainian sources reported that the missile was carrying dummy warheads, not explosives, and caused limited damage. Russia claims that the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile is impossible to intercept due to its speed, which is reportedly more than 10 times the speed of sound.

The Defence Ministry in Moscow stated that the attack was in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month. However, Ukraine and the United States have rejected this claim. Russia also launched ground and sea-launched missiles to target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

Ukraine has called on its allies to increase pressure on Russia following the missile strike. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that such a strike close to the EU and NATO border is “a grave threat to the security of the European continent” and demands strong responses from Russia. The situation remains tense as Ukraine continues to discuss efforts to end the nearly four-year-long war with European and United States allies.

Source: Al Jazeera