Ukraine has accused Vladimir Putin of committing another ‘war crime’ following Russia’s launch of a powerful new hypersonic weapon in recent overnight attacks. The strikes resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals in Kyiv due to a Russian assault, with additional strikes hitting civilian areas in the Lviv region near the Polish border.
The SBU security service of Ukraine has unveiled images showing a nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile discovered in the debris in Lviv, affirming that the weapon’s deployment is being treated as a war crime. Ukrainian investigators showcased various fragments, including crucial components like the missile’s stabilization and guidance block, flight control and targeting unit, engine parts, orientation mechanism fragments, and deployment platform nozzles.
Initial assessments indicate that the missile was launched from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site, located around 900 miles away. These recovered components have been categorized as evidence and are slated for detailed forensic examination to potentially provide key insights into the Russian Oreshnik system.
Ukrainian investigators have stated that the missile was utilized against civilian infrastructure rather than military targets during a period of extreme vulnerability, especially with Ukraine facing severe cold weather conditions. There are reports suggesting that Europe’s largest gas storage facility was targeted as temperatures plummeted to -12°C overnight.
The SBU has accused the Kremlin of aiming to disrupt critical civilian infrastructure near the EU border amidst deteriorating weather conditions. A war crimes case has been initiated under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, focusing on breaches of the laws and customs of war.
The Oreshnik missile, promoted by Moscow as an advanced strategic weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has been previously launched by Russia without active warheads, serving as intimidation tools rather than for actual destruction. While the SBU did not confirm if the missile carried a complete warhead, the recovered fragments align with characteristics of a medium-range ballistic strike.
The location of the strike near NATO and EU territory has sparked concerns among Ukrainian officials, who view the attack as a political message rather than a military advancement. Efforts are underway to identify and hold accountable all individuals involved in planning and executing the strike.
In diplomatic discussions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron to address issues related to Ukraine, Greenland, and Iran. The leaders reiterated their commitment to close coordination with the US to secure a peace deal for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s aggressive actions, including the use of an Oreshnik missile in western Ukraine, as highly provocative and unjustifiable.