Russia stated on Friday that it used its new hypersonic Oreshnik missile in an attack against Ukraine, according to reports.
The Kremlin said the strike was carried out in retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone attack attempt on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residences—a claim Kyiv has denied.
The outlet noted that both Ukraine and the U.S. have doubted Russia’s claims about the purported drone attack attempt on Putin’s residence on December 29. Ukraine called it “an absurd lie,” while former President Donald Trump also questioned the claim’s veracity, saying he did not believe the attack happened and that an unrelated “something” occurred nearby.
This is the second time Russia has deployed the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile, which Putin has said is impossible to intercept due to its speed, Reuters reported.
Per Reuters, the Russian Defense Ministry said the strike targeted critical infrastructure in Ukraine, adding that the attack also used strike drones and high-precision long-range land and sea-based weapons.
While Moscow did not specify where the missile hit, Russian media and military bloggers claimed it targeted an underground natural gas storage facility in Ukraine’s western Lviv region. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy stated the attack hit critical infrastructure but provided no details, the outlet added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the attack on social media, noting the aftermath was “still being dealt with.”
“Twenty residential buildings alone were damaged. Recovery operations after the strikes also continue in the Lviv region and other regions of our country. Unfortunately, as of now, it is known that four people have been killed in the capital alone. Among them is an ambulance crew member. My condolences to their families and loved ones,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The Ukrainian leader said the attack involved 242 drones,13 ballistic missiles, one Oreshnik missile and22 cruise missiles. Zelenskyy added that the ballistic missiles were aimed at as the people of Ukraine faced “a significant cold spell.” He said the attack was “aimed precisely against the normal life of ordinary people.” However, he assured that Ukraine was working to restore heating and electricity.
Zelenskyy claimed that in addition to civilian infrastructure, a building belonging to the Embassy of Qatar was damaged in the attack.
“A clear reaction from the world is needed. Above all from the United States, whose signals Russia truly pays attention to. Russia must receive signals that it is its obligation to focus on diplomacy, and must feel consequences every time it again focuses on killings and the destruction of infrastructure,” Zelenskyy added.
A State Department spokesperson told Digital that the U.S. remains committed to ending the war through diplomatic means, emphasizing this is the only path to a durable peace. The spokesperson also underscored Trump’s desire to end the war, which is approaching its fourth year.
Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.