Russia Strikes Ukraine with Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile
On January 9, 2026, Russia launched a hypersonic Oreshnik missile at Ukraine, marking the second time this weapon has been used in the nearly four-year-long war. The missile struck the western Lviv region, which is close to the Polish border.
The attack occurred amidst broader strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and drone manufacturing sites in and around Kyiv.
What is the Oreshnik Missile?
Oreshnik, which means hazel tree in Russian, is a nuclear-capable, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making them difficult to intercept. According to the Ukrainian military, the Oreshnik's speed exceeds Mach 10 (12,300 km/h).
The missile is believed to be based on the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) and is equipped with six warheads, each containing submunitions.
Significance of the Attack
The location of the target, Lviv, near the border with Poland, a NATO member, is particularly significant. Ukraine has labeled the use of the weapon so close to the EU and NATO border a grave threat to European security. Some experts believe Moscow carried out the attack to intimidate Ukraine's European and Western allies.
Moscow stated that the attack was a response to an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence in Novgorod in December 2025, an allegation Kyiv and Washington have denied.
The Ukrainian security service released photos of what it said were fragments of an Oreshnik missile recovered in the Lviv region.
First Use of Oreshnik
Russia first used the Oreshnik missile on November 21, 2024, when it struck a Ukrainian military-industrial facility in Dnipro. At that time, Ukrainian officials said the missile carried dummy warheads and caused limited damage.
Conclusion
Russia's recent use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in its attack on Ukraine marks only the second time this weapon has been deployed. The strike near the Polish border has heightened concerns about European security.
