(Scypre.com) – In a significant escalation of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia launched a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile targeting the city of Dnipro. The strike, which Moscow claimed was in retaliation for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons to hit Russian territory, signals mounting tensions in the 33-month conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation on Thursday, announcing that the missile, named “Oreshnik” (The Hazel), struck a Ukrainian military facility. Speaking on state television, Putin warned that further strikes with this new weapon might follow but assured civilians they would be warned beforehand.
The Russian leader tied the missile strike to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory using advanced Western weaponry. Putin specifically referenced Ukraine’s deployment of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, calling it a provocation that has pushed the conflict toward a global scale.
“From that moment, a regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character,” Putin declared.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, calling it a “clear and severe escalation.” In a post on social media platform X, Zelensky urged global leaders to respond decisively.
“The world must react. A lack of tough reactions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable,” he wrote.
Zelensky also noted that Russia’s use of the hypersonic weapon followed the deployment of North Korean troops on Russian soil, adding another layer of complexity to the conflict.
The United States confirmed it had been notified by Russia shortly before the missile launch, while allies, including NATO, characterized the move as an attempt to intimidate.
NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah accused Moscow of trying to terrorize civilians and dissuade international support for Ukraine. “Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO allies from supporting Ukraine,” Dakhlallah said.
Fabian Hoffmann, a missile technology expert at Oslo University, emphasized that the missile’s payload—capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs)—indicates its association with nuclear capabilities, raising fears of further escalation.
Ukraine’s air force reported that the missile targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro. While six of seven additional cruise missiles launched during the attack were intercepted, the strike damaged an industrial facility and caused fires. Two people sustained injuries, according to regional authorities.
Dnipro, a historical center of Soviet missile manufacturing, has become a focal point in the ongoing war as Ukraine expands its military-industrial capabilities in secret locations.
Public broadcaster Suspilne reported that security concerns prompted the postponement of a Ukrainian parliamentary session originally scheduled for Friday.
The use of the hypersonic missile, described by U.S. officials as “experimental,” comes as the Biden administration nears the end of its term. Sources suggest that Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons was influenced by the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.
With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to the White House in two months, speculation abounds about his approach to the conflict. Trump has promised to end the war but has criticized the billions of dollars in U.S. aid provided to Ukraine under Biden.
Both Ukraine and Russia are racing to solidify their positions ahead of potential peace talks, which many believe Trump will push for.
The deployment of a hypersonic missile by Russia marks a dangerous new chapter in the conflict, raising the stakes for all parties involved. As global powers weigh their next moves, the world watches anxiously, fearing further escalation in a war that has already caused immense suffering.