Key Takeaways
- The Russian military launched a hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine as part of a massive overnight strike on energy facilities and drone manufacturing sites.
- The strike was reportedly a response to an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residences.
- The Ukrainian government has denied attempting to attack the residence, calling the Russian assertion "a lie."
- The Oreshnik missile is said to have speeds of over 10 times the speed of sound, making it impossible to intercept, according to Putin.
- Western officials have expressed skepticism about the capabilities of the Oreshnik missile, with one U.S. official stating that it is not seen as a game-changer on the battlefield.
Introduction to the Russian Military Strike
The Russian military announced on Friday, January 9, 2026, that it had launched a hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine as part of a massive overnight strike on energy facilities and drone manufacturing sites. This strike is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and it has significant implications for the region and the world at large. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strike was a response to an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residences at the end of December. However, the Ukrainian government has denied any involvement in such an attack, calling the Russian assertion "a lie."
Details of the Strike
The governor of Ukraine’s western Lviv region reported that a Russian attack had struck an infrastructure target, which unverified social media reports claimed was a massive underground gas storage facility. Although Reuters was unable to verify this information, Ukrainian media quoted the Ukrainian Air Force as saying that a ballistic missile had been used in the strike, traveling at a speed of nearly 8,000 mph. The use of a hypersonic missile such as the Oreshnik is significant, as it is reportedly capable of speeds over 10 times the speed of sound. This makes it nearly impossible to intercept, according to Putin, who has also stated that the destructive power of the Oreshnik is comparable to that of a nuclear weapon, even when fitted with a conventional warhead.
Previous Use of the Oreshnik Missile
The Oreshnik missile was first used by Russia against a target in Ukraine in November 2024. On that occasion, Ukrainian sources reported that the missile was carrying dummy warheads, not explosives, and caused limited damage. Despite this, the Russian military has continued to develop and deploy the Oreshnik, which is seen as a key component of its military strategy. The use of the Oreshnik in the latest strike suggests that Russia is committed to using this weapon in its conflict with Ukraine, and it is likely that we will see further deployments of the missile in the future.
International Reaction to the Oreshnik Missile
The development and deployment of the Oreshnik missile have been met with skepticism by some Western officials. One U.S. official stated in December 2024 that the weapon was not seen as a game-changer on the battlefield. This assessment is likely based on the limited damage caused by the Oreshnik in its previous deployment, as well as questions about the missile’s accuracy and reliability. However, the Russian military clearly believes that the Oreshnik is a valuable asset, and it is likely that we will see further development and deployment of the missile in the future. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, the use of the Oreshnik missile is likely to be a significant factor in the ongoing violence and instability in the region.
Conclusion and Analysis
The launch of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile by the Russian military is a significant development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The use of this weapon, which is reportedly capable of speeds over 10 times the speed of sound, has significant implications for the region and the world at large. While Western officials have expressed skepticism about the capabilities of the Oreshnik, the Russian military clearly believes that it is a valuable asset. As the conflict continues to escalate, it is likely that we will see further deployments of the Oreshnik missile, and it is essential that the international community continues to monitor the situation closely. The ongoing violence and instability in the region have significant humanitarian and geopolitical implications, and it is essential that a peaceful resolution is found as soon as possible.