Russia has fired a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile, known as "Oreshnik", at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. President Vladimir Putin announced the strike in a televised address, claimed it as a response to Ukraine's recent use of advanced Western weapons, including U.S.-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles.
Surge in Long-Range Missiles in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The missile was launched from Astrakhan in southern Russia which targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles during the attack and six of the cruise missiles were intercepted. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has also reported intercepting two UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, alongside six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones, though it did not specify the locations or targets of the intercepts.
Ukrainian officials initially described the weapon as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), but U.S. and NATO officials identified it as an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of 3,000–5,500 km. Analysts have highlighted that the missile’s MIRVed (multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle) payload is typically associated with nuclear-capable systems, suggesting its use was a deliberate signal from Moscow. Fabian Hoffmann, a missile technology expert, noted the strike's symbolic significance while stating, "This payload is exclusively associated with nuclear-capable missiles."
Western Involvement Deepens Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Ukraine’s use of Western-provided missiles, including recent strikes on Russian territory, has heightened tensions. Moscow claims the strikes mark a turning point in the war, with Putin stating that the conflict has taken on a "global character." The United States and the UK recently lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s use of advanced weapons to target Russian soil. Washington and NATO were briefed on Russia’s planned missile launch. The timing of these developments coincides with heightened political stakes in the United States. President Joe Biden’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of the war, particularly from former President Donald Trump, who is set to return to the White House. Trump has promised to end the conflict but has not outlined specific plans.
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