Russia Launches Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile in Major Attack on Ukraine

Russia confirmed on March 15, 2024, that it deployed its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile during a significant strike on Ukraine. This attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to at least 22 others in the capital, Kyiv. While details of the specific targets were not disclosed by Russian officials, local media and military bloggers indicated that the missile aimed at a substantial underground natural gas storage facility located in Ukraine’s western Lviv region.

The Russian Ministry of Defense characterized the assault as retaliation for a drone strike that they allege targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s residence in February. Both Ukrainian officials and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have dismissed this claim, calling it unfounded. Alongside the Oreshnik, the attack utilized drones and a variety of precision-guided weapons, with reports indicating that a total of 242 drones and 36 missiles were launched, according to the Reuters news agency. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 226 of the drones and approximately half of the missiles.

Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadoviy, stated that critical infrastructure was struck by a ballistic missile but provided few specifics. He noted that the missile was recorded traveling at a speed of 13,000 kilometers per hour (over 8,000 miles per hour), and investigations into the particular type of missile used are ongoing. The Oreshnik, which translates to hazelnut tree, was first tested in November 2024, targeting a Ukrainian factory. President Putin has claimed that the Oreshnik can deliver multiple warheads at speeds up to ten times the speed of sound, making it nearly impossible to intercept. He has also suggested that its impact could rival that of a nuclear strike.

The implications of this strike extend beyond immediate military targets. Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, expressed concerns over the missile’s deployment near the borders of the European Union and NATO, labeling it a “grave threat to security on the European continent.” He called for a robust response from the international community to counter Russia’s aggressive actions.

In the aftermath of the overnight assault, the casualties included an emergency medical aid worker, as reported by the head of Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko. Five rescue workers were injured while responding to the ongoing attack sites. Multiple districts in Kyiv sustained damage, including the Desnyanskyi district, where a drone crashed onto a residential building’s roof, damaging the first two floors. Additionally, parts of a drone impacted a multi-story building in the Dnipro district, igniting a fire. The strikes disrupted running water and electricity in various parts of the capital, as indicated by Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko.

The strike coincided with President Zelenskyy’s earlier warnings about an impending large-scale Russian offensive. He noted that the harsh winter conditions in Kyiv could be exploited by Russian forces, making roads and streets perilously icy. The situation remains tense, as the conflict continues to escalate with serious implications for regional stability.