Russia launched a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, codenamed Oreshnik, at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing war. The attack was reportedly in response to Ukraine’s use of advanced US and UK-supplied long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russian territory, as confirmed by President Vladimir Putin.

Putin’s Statement and Warning

In a televised address, Putin described the Oreshnik missile as a “non-nuclear hypersonic configuration” tested under combat conditions. He emphasized that the missile struck its intended target—a Ukrainian military-industrial facility—with precision, traveling at speeds of Mach 10 (2.5–3 km/s).

Putin warned the West of Russia’s readiness for further escalations, saying, “If anyone still doubts this, they shouldn’t. There will always be a response.” He also hinted at potential strikes on military facilities in countries supplying weapons to Ukraine, namely the United States and the United Kingdom.

A Shift in Western Policy

The missile strike came days after the US and UK authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles—a major shift in policy allowing Kyiv to target Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian attack a severe escalation, writing on social media, “Putin is not only prolonging the war—he is spitting in the face of those who genuinely seek peace.”

Zelensky also claimed the missile had characteristics of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), though Western officials downplayed this assessment, describing the missile as experimental and unlikely to be a game changer.

US and Western Reaction

The US National Security Council confirmed that the missile was an experimental medium-range ballistic weapon, with Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stating that the US was notified of the launch through Nuclear Risk Reduction channels.

While the Pentagon said Russia likely possesses only a small number of such weapons, experts caution that their hypersonic capabilities—immune to current air defence systems—represent a concerning development.

Technical Details of Oreshnik

According to Putin, modern air defence systems are incapable of intercepting the Oreshnik missile. He described it as “impossible to counteract” due to its speed and maneuverability.

The missile’s deployment was framed as a direct response to NATO’s “aggressive actions” toward Russia, with Putin reiterating that Russia was ready for “any developments” in the conflict.

Attack on Dnipro

The Ukrainian air force and President Zelensky accused Russia of using missiles of unprecedented capability during the attack on Dnipro. Ukrainian authorities are investigating to determine the exact type of missile used, while initial assessments suggest a significant escalation in the scale of weaponry deployed.

A Growing Escalation

As tensions rise, Thursday’s missile strike represents not only a test of Russia’s advanced hypersonic technology but also a chilling warning of the potential for further escalation in the nearly 33-month-old conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation as calls for de-escalation grow louder.