In a significant escalation of military tensions, Ukraine’s SBU security service has confirmed that Russia launched its new Oreshnik ballistic missile targeting the western Lviv region, close to the European Union border. The SBU has released images purportedly showing fragments of the missile, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the area.
The Kremlin has claimed responsibility for firing the Oreshnik missile, which reportedly travels at hypersonic speeds, making it difficult to intercept. However, Russian authorities did not disclose the specific targets for the missile, leading to heightened concerns regarding civilian safety in the region.
In a statement, the SBU remarked, “By attacking civilian targets in our country near the border with the European Union, the Kremlin attempted to destroy the region’s life-support infrastructure amid sharply deteriorating weather conditions.” Despite this confirmation of the missile strike, Ukrainian officials have remained vague about the exact targets and the extent of damage caused.
The fragments recovered so far include crucial components such as the missile’s stabilization and guidance unit, parts of the engine, and nozzles—signifying the technological advancement of Russia’s weaponry in the ongoing conflict. This marks the first acknowledgment from both Ukraine and Russia that the Oreshnik missile was specifically aimed at the Lviv region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s defense ministry had previously indicated that the missile had been launched, but specific details about the location had not been clarified at that time. Reports from local officials in Lviv had noted the occurrence of large blasts attributed to a ballistic missile strike, underscoring the immediate danger faced by residents.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy disclosed earlier that a ballistic missile was sent towards the region, capable of reaching speeds of 13,000 kilometers per hour (approximately 8,000 miles per hour). However, he refrained from naming the missile as the Oreshnik, emphasizing only that a “critical infrastructure facility” had been struck, leading to subsequent fires.
In a divergent narrative, some Russian military bloggers claimed that the specific target was a gas storage site, introducing further ambiguity regarding the intentions behind the missile launch. The increasingly hostile exchange of information and military actions continues to escalate tensions not only between Ukraine and Russia but also raises concerns for neighboring EU nations as the conflict unfolds.
