Kyiv labelled the usage of the weapon near the EU and NATO border a ‘grave menace’ to European safety.
Revealed On 9 Jan 2026
Kyiv has referred to as on its allies to extend stress on Russia after Moscow used a newly developed missile in strikes on western Ukraine.
Russia mentioned on Friday that it had used the Oreshnik missile amid a barrage of in a single day strikes on Kyiv and Lviv in western Ukraine. Kyiv labelled the usage of the weapon near the European Union and NATO border a “grave menace” to European safety.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence mentioned the army has used the brand new intermediate-range ballistic missile amongst a whole lot of different weapons in strikes that, in line with Ukraine, killed 4 individuals and injured not less than 22 within the capital.
Sport changer?
Russia additionally struck crucial infrastructure in Lviv utilizing an unidentified ballistic missile, mentioned Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
Ukraine’s Air Pressure later mentioned the missile travelled at a pace of 13,000km/h (greater than 8,000mph) and that the particular sort of rocket was being investigated.
Moscow first fired an Oreshnik – Russian for hazel tree – in opposition to what it mentioned was a army manufacturing facility in Ukraine in November 2024. On that event, Ukrainian sources mentioned the missile was carrying dummy warheads, not explosives, and brought about restricted injury.
Putin has mentioned that the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile is inconceivable to intercept due to speeds reportedly greater than 10 instances the pace of sound and that its damaging energy is comparable with that of a nuclear weapon, even when fitted with a traditional warhead.
Some Western officers have expressed scepticism, suggesting that the weapon just isn’t seen as a game-changer on the battlefield.
‘Reckless’
The Defence Ministry in Moscow mentioned that the assault was in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence final month.
Ukraine and United States President Donald Trump have each rejected the Russian declare of the assault on Putin’s residence.
The ministry mentioned the newest strike additionally concerned different floor and sea-launched missiles to focus on Ukraine’s crucial infrastructure.
“Such a strike near [the] EU and NATO border is a grave menace to the safety on the European continent and a take a look at for the transatlantic neighborhood. We demand sturdy responses to Russia’s reckless actions,” International Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on social media.
‘Axis of battle’
Ukraine’s enchantment to boost the stress on Russia comes because it continues to debate efforts to end the nearly four-year-long war with European and United States allies.
An settlement was reached this week that Europe would deploy troops after any ceasefire, however Russia on Thursday rejected the plan.
Such troops could be “thought-about reputable army targets”, Russian Ministry of International Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned, branding Ukraine and its allies an “axis of battle”.
