Vladimir Putin deployed his nuclear-ready Oreshnik missile, traveling at 8,000mph, in a series of devastating attacks on Ukraine. The assault, directed at Europe’s largest underground gas storage facility near Lviv and situated 40 miles from NATO and EU borders in Poland, intensified the ongoing turmoil in the region. The strikes targeted civilians in various Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelensky’s birthplace, Kryvyi Rih.
The missile, launched from the Astrakhan region in Russia, exploded over Lviv in less than 15 minutes after being fired, generating bright flashes that illuminated the night sky. Speculation arose about the weapon used, with online discussions suggesting it was an Oreshnik-type ballistic missile due to its remarkable speed. The Russian defense ministry acknowledged the use of the Oreshnik missile system, citing a retaliatory strike against Ukraine for an alleged attempt on Putin’s life at his residence in the Novgorod region.
The Russian defense ministry stated that the strike successfully targeted facilities linked to the alleged attack on Putin’s residence and essential energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. Ukraine’s foreign minister condemned the strike, labeling it a severe threat to European security and a trial for the transatlantic community. The missile was identified as an intermediate-range ballistic missile fired towards the Lviv region.
This marked the second known use of the Oreshnik system in a combat scenario, following its initial deployment in Dnipro in 2024 without a warhead as a scare tactic. The missile system is currently stationed near Ukraine and NATO territory in Belarus, but the recent strike originated from the Kapustin Yar missile test range in the Astrakhan region, potentially taking less than seven minutes to cover the 900-mile distance to its target.
The impact on the Stryi gas storage facility’s vital infrastructure, crucial for Ukrainian supplies, remains uncertain. Despite the missile not being nuclear, its destructive power and rapid speed serve as a demonstration of force rather than destruction. The continuous attacks on Ukrainian cities indicate Putin’s disregard for calls for peace, with ongoing strikes causing casualties and destruction in various locations.
As the conflict escalates, both sides continue to exchange attacks, with no sign of easing tensions. Putin’s utilization of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system underscores his readiness to escalate hostilities, disregarding international calls for peace. This recent strike further emphasizes the volatile situation in the region, with both sides engaging in deadly exchanges that show no signs of abating.
