Russia has launched its hypersonic Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile at a target in western Ukraine near the NATO border, marking only the second known use of the advanced weapon in the conflict and serving as a clear signal to Kyiv’s Western allies. Moscow said the strike was carried out overnight on January 9, 2026, claiming it was retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence — a claim Ukraine and the United States have dismissed as false.
The Oreshnik missile, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads and reportedly flying at hypersonic speeds, hit a state-owned enterprise in Lviv region, though Ukrainian officials said it likely carried inert or “dummy” warheads and caused only limited structural damage.
The launch occurred amid a massive Russian aerial assault that also involved drones and other missiles, which Ukrainian authorities said killed civilians in Kyiv and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands. Western leaders, including EU foreign policy officials, condemned the use of the Oreshnik as an escalatory act meant to intimidate Europe and the U.S. at a pivotal moment in peace negotiations and Western military support discussions.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said using such a weapon so close to NATO territory poses a “grave threat” to European security, underscoring fears the conflict could widen if strategic missiles are normalized on the battlefield — a serious development after nearly four years of war, news as reported.
