The Russia-Ukraine conflict entered a sharper phase this week as Moscow confirmed the use of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile, marking the weapon’s first deployment since November 2024. The strike has drawn immediate attention not just for its military implications, but for the political message it may carry beyond the battlefield, as the ceasefire discussions hang in the balance and Western military support to Kyiv is under close watch. Russia Fires Oreshnik at Ukraine Russia fired the new Oreshnik hypersonic missiles in the latest strike on Ukraine in the early hours of January 9 in retaliation for the alleged attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence, confirmed the country's defence ministry. Russia's defence ministry said Friday that Moscow forces hit "strategic targets" in Ukraine overnight with the Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, according to AP. The Russian Defence Ministry did not provide more details on the strikes, but said they were in response to a December drone attack on a residence of Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, according to an AFP report. What Are Oreshnik MissilesOreshnik missile, which stands for 'hazelnut tree' in Russian, is a hypersonic, nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
