Russia Deploys Oreshnik Missile in Extensive Attacks on Ukraine; Ukrainian Forces Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russian Oreshnik Missile and Broader Attacks on Ukraine

Recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine have seen Russia deploy the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in large-scale attacks on Ukraine, particularly targeting Lviv. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces have intensified drone strikes against Russian oil and energy infrastructure, aiming to reduce Russia's military funding and capabilities.

On January 8-9, Russia utilized its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in an attack near Lviv, western Ukraine. This marked the second reported use of the Oreshnik missile in the conflict, with its first documented deployment in November 2023 against Dnipro. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed the strike, describing it as part of a "massive strike" using "high-precision long-range land- and sea-based weapons."

The Oreshnik missile strike near Lviv, approximately 60 to 70 kilometers from the Polish border, was described by Russia's Defense Ministry as "retaliation" for an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in late December.

Ukrainian and U.S. officials, including the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, denied that Ukraine targeted a Putin residence, with Ukraine calling the allegation an "absurd lie."

The Oreshnik is categorized as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) and is described as hypersonic, capable of speeds up to 13,000 kilometers per hour (approximately Mach 10). Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated the weapon travels "like a meteorite" and is difficult to intercept. Defence analysts have described it as a "weapon of intimidation."

The missile is nuclear-capable and can carry multiple warheads that may fragment into independently targeted inert projectiles during descent. However, Ukrainian sources and officials indicated it was used with non-explosive or dummy warheads in these strikes, with no indication of nuclear payloads.

Reported ranges for the Oreshnik vary, with some sources stating approximately 5,500 to 5,800 kilometers, while others report a range of 1,000 to 1,600 kilometers. The Oreshnik is reportedly based on the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and was reportedly deployed in Belarus in December 2023.

The Lviv strike reportedly targeted an aircraft repair plant, critical infrastructure, a major gas depot, and energy infrastructure, including gas distribution pipelines.

The Oreshnik strike was part of a broader series of Russian missile and drone offensives on Ukraine on January 8-9. Ukrainian officials reported Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including 36 missiles and 242 drones, and specifically 13 ballistic missiles, 22 cruise missiles, and 242 drones. These attacks primarily targeted energy facilities, drone manufacturing sites, residential buildings, and other critical infrastructure in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

In Kyiv, these attacks reportedly caused power outages across large parts of the city and disrupted heating services, with temperatures recorded at -5 degrees Celsius. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported damage to 20 residential buildings and Qatar's embassy. Casualties reported in Kyiv varied, with figures including four fatalities and 10 injuries, four fatalities and 25 injuries, and four fatalities and 19 injuries. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported no casualties in Lviv from the missile strike.

Russia has stated these strikes on energy facilities and drone manufacturing sites are responses to alleged Ukrainian actions. Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy, have stated that Russia's attacks aim to "create chaos and apply psychological pressure" during winter months.

The Oreshnik missile deployment and broader attacks prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Tammy Bruce, described Russia's use of the missile as a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" and stated that Russia's actions risked expanding and intensifying the conflict. UN Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo noted that intensified Russian attacks were causing "horrific" destruction.

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha characterized the strike near EU and NATO borders as "a grave threat to the security on the European continent and a test for the transatlantic community," urging "strong responses" and increased pressure on Moscow. Ukraine announced plans to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and a session of the Ukraine–NATO Council. European allies and officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, viewed the Oreshnik incident as an attempt to deter support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Energy and Military Infrastructure

Ukrainian forces have conducted a series of strikes on Russian energy and military infrastructure, primarily using domestically developed drones. Ukrainian officials state that they consider Russian oil and gas facilities legitimate military targets due to their role in funding Russia's military operations.

• Tikhoretsk Oil Pumping Station (Krasnodar Krai, Russia): Reportedly struck on the night of March 15. The facility, a major oil logistics hub, reportedly sustained a significant fire three days after a previous strike by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on its infrastructure.
• Slavneft-YANOS Oil Refinery (Yaroslavl, central Russia): Reportedly struck on March 28. This refinery is among Russia's five largest, with a stated capacity exceeding 15 million tons annually, and is located approximately 700 kilometers from Ukraine's border.
• Afipsky Oil Refinery (Krasnodar Krai, Russia): Struck one day prior to the March 15 Tikhoretsk incident, resulting in a large fire.
• Oil Terminals in Ust-Luga and Primorsk (Leningrad Oblast, Russia): Reportedly struck on March 27, marking the third consecutive night of attacks on oil facilities in the region.
• Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis (Kinef) Oil Refinery (Kirishi, Leningrad Oblast): Struck on March 26, confirmed by Ukraine's General Staff.
• Zhutovskaya Oil Depot (Volgograd region, Russia): Struck by a drone, resulting in a fire. Ukrainian General Staff stated it supplies fuel to Russian forces.
• Tamanneftegaz Oil Terminal (Krasnodar Krai, Russia): Struck on the night of February 14-15, with a fire reported. This terminal was previously struck on January 21, which resulted in a fire, three fatalities, and eight injuries.
• Thermal Power Station (Belgorod Oblast, Russia): Reportedly struck overnight on February 27, leading to power, water, and heating disruptions. Belgorod has experienced multiple recent attacks on energy facilities in February.
• Oil Depot (Russian-occupied Luhansk): Photographs and footage circulated online showed the facility in flames after explosions on the night of February 27.
• Oil Depot (Velikiye Luki, Pskov Oblast, northwestern Russia): Explosions and fires were reported on February 19, with a source from Ukraine's SBU stating their "Alpha" unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit was responsible.

• Pantsir-S1 Air Defense System (Kacha, occupied Crimea): Struck on the night of February 14-15. The SBU announced on February 14 that its Alpha unit has destroyed approximately half of Russia's Pantsir air defense system stockpile.
• Russian 55Zh6U "Nebo-U" Long-Range Radar Station (near Yevpatoriia, occupied Crimea): Struck on February 12.
• Reports also indicated strikes on a Russian artillery brigade's repair unit near Vilne in occupied Donetsk Oblast and a Russian personnel concentration area near Liubymivka in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Russia's Defense Ministry has reported intercepting numerous Ukrainian drones across various regions, including 155 drones on March 28, 59 drones overnight, and 95 drones overnight on February 27.