Ukraine has leveled fresh accusations against Vladimir Putin, alleging another ‘war crime’ in the aftermath of Russia’s deployment of a powerful new hypersonic weapon during recent overnight attacks.
A Russian barrage struck Kyiv, resulting in at least four fatalities, while civilian areas in the Lviv region near the Poland border also endured strikes.
The Ukrainian SBU security service unveiled photos revealing the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile among the wreckage in Lviv, officially declaring the weapon’s use as a war crime.
Notable components of the missile, such as the stabilisation and guidance block known as the “brains,” were showcased by Ukrainian investigators. They included parts responsible for flight control, targeting, engine components, fragments of the orientation mechanism, and nozzles from the deployment platform.
Initial assessments indicated that the missile was fired from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site, located about 900 miles away. All recovered items have been marked as evidence for detailed forensic examination, potentially offering crucial insights into the Russian Oreshnik weapon.
According to Ukrainian investigators, the missile was directed at civilian infrastructure rather than military targets, exploiting a moment of extreme vulnerability as Ukraine faced severe cold weather conditions.
Reports suggested that Europe’s largest gas storage facility was a primary target, coinciding with plummeting temperatures reaching -12C overnight. The SBU alleged that the Kremlin aimed to disrupt essential civilian infrastructure near the EU border amid adverse weather conditions.
An investigation into war crimes has been initiated under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, focusing on violations of war laws and customs.
The Oreshnik missile, heavily promoted by Moscow as a ‘next-generation’ strategic weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads, is believed to have limited battlefield utility, with past launches lacking explosive warheads, serving as tools of intimidation rather than destruction.
While the SBU did not confirm if the missile carried a full warhead, the recovered fragments indicated a medium-range ballistic strike. The proximity of the strike to the Lviv region, near NATO and EU territories, raised concerns among Ukrainian officials.
Security sources suggested that the attack aimed to convey a political message rather than achieve a military breakthrough, emphasizing psychological impact over strategic gains. Efforts are underway to identify and hold accountable all individuals involved in organizing and executing the strike.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Ukraine, Greenland, and Iran. The leaders affirmed close coordination with the US to secure a peace deal for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s ongoing attacks, including the use of an Oreshnik missile in western Ukraine, as escalatory and unacceptable.
