Russia Fires Hypersonic Missile at Ukraine: What You Need to Know

Russia's Overnight Strike: Oreshnik Missile Raises Concerns In a surprise move, Russia fired an Oreshnik missile at Ukraine, sparking global concerns. The Oreshnik, named after the Hazel Tree, is an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. This feature, typically associated with intercontinental ballistic missiles, makes it a formidable weapon. The missile's origins date back to the RS-26 Rubezh, originally developed as an intercontinental missile. Like many Russian systems, it can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads, but there's no indication of a nuclear component in the latest attack. The Oreshnik has been in development since 2014, with Russia claiming it's impossible to intercept and has destructive power comparable to a nuclear weapon. However, some Western experts dispute these claims, calling it an experimental weapon with limited capabilities. Russia's decision to use the Oreshnik comes after a disputed drone attack on one of President Putin's residences in northern Russia. Ukraine denies any involvement, while Russia claims it was a legitimate target. The strike on the Lviv region in western Ukraine, bordering NATO member Poland, has been condemned by Ukraine's foreign minister as a 'global threat' that demands a global response. This escalation comes at a critical time, as the US struggles to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to end the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The use of the Oreshnik missile raises concerns about the escalating conflict and the potential for further devastating strikes.