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Russia says it fired Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Ukraine, cites alleged drone attack near Putin residence

  • Writer: SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
    SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
  • 1 hour ago
  • 2 min read
Moscow, Jan. 9, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Russia’s military said it fired its hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine overnight in response to what it described as an attempted Ukrainian drone strike last month on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, an allegation Kyiv has denied. It was the second time Russia has used the intermediate-range Oreshnik, a missile Putin has said is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound, according to the Russian account. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though there was no suggestion the one used in the strike was fitted with them. Russia’s Defence Ministry said the strike targeted critical infrastructure in Ukraine and that Russia also used attack drones and high-precision long-range land- and sea-based weapons. “The strike’s targets were hit,” the ministry said in a statement, describing the targets as a factory producing drones used in the alleged attack against Putin’s residence, as well as energy infrastructure. Lviv regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said a critical infrastructure facility had been targeted. Local media said Stryi, a gas field with a large gas storage facility, was probably the intended target. Russian war correspondents released video purportedly showing the moment the Oreshnik struck its target in western Ukraine, showing what appeared to be multiple flashes followed by detonations. Ukraine has called Russia’s allegation that its drones tried to attack one of Putin’s residences in the Novgorod region on Dec. 29 “an absurd lie” intended to sabotage already troubled peace talks. U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not believe the strike on the residence happened, but that “something” unrelated occurred nearby. Ukraine’s air force confirmed on Friday that Russia fired an Oreshnik missile launched from the Kapustin Yar test range near the Caspian Sea. Moscow first fired an Oreshnik — Russian for “hazel tree” — at what it said was a military factory in Ukraine in November 2024. Ukrainian sources said at the time the missile carried dummy warheads and caused limited damage. Putin has said the Oreshnik’s destructive power is comparable to that of a nuclear weapon even when fitted with a conventional warhead, while some Western officials have expressed scepticism about its capabilities. A U.S. official said in December 2024 the weapon was not seen as a game-changer on the battlefield. Russia released video in December of what it said was the deployment of the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, a move Moscow said was intended to boost its ability to strike targets across Europe in the event of war.
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. REUTERS

Moscow, Jan. 9, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Russia’s military said it fired its hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine overnight in response to what it described as an attempted Ukrainian drone strike last month on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, an allegation Kyiv has denied.


It was the second time Russia has used the intermediate-range Oreshnik, a missile Putin has said is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound, according to the Russian account.


The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though there was no suggestion the one used in the strike was fitted with them.


Russia’s Defence Ministry said the strike targeted critical infrastructure in Ukraine and that Russia also used attack drones and high-precision long-range land- and sea-based weapons.


“The strike’s targets were hit,” the ministry said in a statement, describing the targets as a factory producing drones used in the alleged attack against Putin’s residence, as well as energy infrastructure.


Lviv regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said a critical infrastructure facility had been targeted. Local media said Stryi, a gas field with a large gas storage facility, was probably the intended target.


Russian war correspondents released video purportedly showing the moment the Oreshnik struck its target in western Ukraine, showing what appeared to be multiple flashes followed by detonations.


Ukraine has called Russia’s allegation that its drones tried to attack one of Putin’s residences in the Novgorod region on Dec. 29 “an absurd lie” intended to sabotage already troubled peace talks.


U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not believe the strike on the residence happened, but that “something” unrelated occurred nearby.


Ukraine’s air force confirmed on Friday that Russia fired an Oreshnik missile launched from the Kapustin Yar test range near the Caspian Sea.


Moscow first fired an Oreshnik — Russian for “hazel tree” — at what it said was a military factory in Ukraine in November 2024. Ukrainian sources said at the time the missile carried dummy warheads and caused limited damage.


Putin has said the Oreshnik’s destructive power is comparable to that of a nuclear weapon even when fitted with a conventional warhead, while some Western officials have expressed scepticism about its capabilities. A U.S. official said in December 2024 the weapon was not seen as a game-changer on the battlefield.


Russia released video in December of what it said was the deployment of the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, a move Moscow said was intended to boost its ability to strike targets across Europe in the event of war.

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