NATO and Ukraine are set to hold emergency talks after Russia launched a hypersonic ballistic missile attack on the central city of Dnipro, intensifying the nearly 33-month-long conflict.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns that the conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” highlighting the dramatic escalation of hostilities. In light of the attack, Ukraine’s parliament canceled its session as security measures were tightened.
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the hypersonic missile strike was a retaliation for Ukraine’s recent use of U.S. and British long-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. He claimed that Western air defense systems would be powerless against the new missile, known as the Oreshnik.
Ukrainian officials reported that the missile, which traveled at speeds of up to Mach 11, carried six non-nuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Putin announced the missile’s production during a meeting with military and arms industry officials, asserting that “no one in the world has such weapons.”
As tensions rise, Russian officials have indicated their belief that the missile attacks could provoke further escalation with Western nations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that any actions taken by Western countries to supply weapons to Ukraine could lead to serious reprisals.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský condemned the missile strike as an “escalatory step” meant to intimidate Ukraine and European nations. He reaffirmed support for increasing air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians.
Despite the ongoing chaos, President Zelenskyy’s office continues to adhere to security measures. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate reported that the Oreshnik missile was fired from Russia’s Kapustin Yar missile test range, striking Dnipro 15 minutes later.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed that the missile is a new, experimental intermediate-range weapon derived from the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile.
In a separate incident overnight, Russian forces targeted a residential area in Sumy with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, resulting in two deaths and injuries to 13 individuals. Local officials reported that these drones are designed to inflict civilian casualties rather than to destroy infrastructure.
