Ukraine is currently examining the wreckage of a new Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile, marking the first time this advanced weapon has been used in the ongoing conflict. The missile, which struck the city of Dnipro on Thursday, has raised significant concerns due to its reported speed and power.
The debris was revealed to a small group of reporters on Sunday, with Reuters among the first to access the wreckage. For security reasons, the exact location of the site was not disclosed. The damaged remains of the missile were laid out in a forensic hangar, where Ukrainian experts are analyzing them to gather insights into Russian military production, supply chains, and potential countermeasures.
Russia has dubbed the missile “Oreshnik” and claimed that it is impossible to intercept with current air defense systems. Ukrainian officials, however, report that the missile reached speeds in excess of 13,000 kilometers per hour as it approached Dnipro. The weapon is classified as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, with a range of up to 5,500 kilometers.
Ukrainian investigators, including two state experts, have provided initial assessments of the weapon’s trajectory, stating that it followed a ballistic path and caused significant civilian damage. However, they stressed that their conclusions were preliminary, and further analysis of the missile remains would be necessary to make more definitive statements.
“This is the first time that such remnants of a missile have been discovered on Ukrainian soil,” said Oleh, an investigator from Ukraine’s Security Service.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the missile strike as a severe escalation of the conflict, calling for a strong response from Ukraine’s allies. Initially, there was confusion about the missile’s nature, with Ukraine speculating that it might have been an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, the Kremlin later confirmed that it was an intermediate-range missile aimed at a Ukrainian military target in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British-made missiles on Russian soil.
The U.S. military has since noted that the missile appears to be based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh ICBM. Sources suggest that the new missile is still experimental, with Russia likely possessing only a limited number of these weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Moscow will continue to test this missile in combat, with a stockpile ready for future use.
The full extent of the damage caused by the missile remains unclear, as Ukraine has been cautious in releasing information about the impact of attacks on its military targets. Ukrainian authorities are continuing their investigations, which could yield further insights into the missile’s capabilities and its potential implications for the conflict.
Sources By Agencies
