Key Takeaways
• Russia launches Oreshnik missile towards Lviv ||| Ukraine denies attempted drone strike on Putin's residence ||| Strike near Lviv raises regional alarm
Moscow Sees Retaliation over Alleged Drone Incident
Russia announced yesterday that their military had fired an Oreshnik hypersonic missile against Ukraine as part of a large-scale overnight assault against energy facilities and drone production sites, alleging an attempted drone strike against one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences by Ukrainian drones back in late December. Moscow claimed this operation acted in response to what it described as attempts by Ukrainian drones to gain entry through one of his residences by trying to breach his property perimeter fencing system.
Ukraine strongly rejected Russia’s allegation, dismissing it as false and its justification as unreasonable. Kyiv asserted that Moscow has used unsubstantiated claims to legitimize an increase in military attacks.
Strike near Lviv Raise Regional Alarm
Regional authorities in western Ukraine reported that Russian forces launched strikes near Lviv region’s borders with European Union. Unconfirmed reports speculated the target may have been an underground gas storage facility; this however could not be independently confirmed.
Ukrainian media reported the attack involved an extremely fast traveling ballistic missile traveling at approximately 13,000 kph, estimated by Ukrainian sources. Russia first acknowledged using their Oreshnik missile against a military-industrial facility in Ukraine with limited damage reported at that time.
Overnight Assault on Ukraine
Ukraine’s Air Force reported Russia conducted an overnight coordinated strike involving 242 drones and 36 missiles – one Oreshnik hypersonic missile included – against multiple regions across Ukraine targeting critical infrastructure across various sectors. Ukrainian air defenses reported intercepting 226 drones and 18 missiles before remaining projectiles hit their intended targets in at least 19 locations.
Russian President Putin previously asserted that Oreshnik missile, a medium-range ballistic weapon with extreme speeds and devastating destructive capabilities even with conventional warheads attached, cannot be intercepted due to their uninterceptability.
Power Outages on Both Sides of the Border
After Ukrainian workers went on strike, officials in Russia reported wide-scale power outages across Belgorod region due to Russian electric grid disruptions. Local officials estimated over half a million residents lost access to electric service, heating or both as hundreds of thousands experienced water disruptions; all located alongside Khakiv region of Ukraine.
Warning Issued for Ukraine Threat to European Security
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, stated that Russia’s missile attack near EU and NATO borders represents an imminent danger. Kyiv briefed US and European partners via diplomatic channels regarding this development and encouraged greater pressure against Moscow through international alliances.
Sybiha strongly cautioned that Russia’s deployment of medium-range ballistic missiles close to EU territory poses an international security risk and demanded coordinated international responses; she stressed the escalation’s effect goes beyond Ukraine to regional stability as a whole.
