KYIV, Ukraine. NATO and Ukraine are set to hold emergency talks on Tuesday in response to Russia’s deployment of an experimental hypersonic ballistic missile, escalating the nearly 33-month-long conflict. The strike on a military facility in Dnipro has heightened tensions, with international leaders expressing concern over the implications of this new weapon.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the war is “entering a decisive phase” and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session on Friday amid heightened security measures following Thursday’s missile attack on Dnipro, a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid.
In a televised speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the use of the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was a direct response to Ukraine’s deployment of U.S. and British longer-range missiles. “No one in the world has such weapons,” Putin said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. But we have this system now. And this is important.”
The Oreshnik missile, which reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions, was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate confirmed that the missile flew for 15 minutes before hitting its target.
Putin emphasized that testing of the Oreshnik will continue “in combat, depending on the situation and the character of security threats created for Russia,” noting that a stockpile of the system is ready for deployment. He also claimed that while the missile is not intercontinental, its use with conventional warheads in large-scale attacks could have a destructive power comparable to nuclear weapons.
General Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, echoed Putin’s remarks, stating that the Oreshnik could target locations across Europe and could be equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads. He warned that the missile’s massive use would mimic the devastating impact of nuclear strikes.
The Kremlin accused Western nations of provoking the escalation by supplying Ukraine with advanced weaponry. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “The reckless decisions and actions of Western countries have clearly demonstrated their disregard for our concerns.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, often considered one of the Kremlin’s closest allies in the European Union, suggested that the U.S. might be directly involved in Ukraine’s missile operations. “These missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel,” Orbán said, cautioning against underestimating Russia’s responses.
Thursday’s strike targeted the Pivdenmash plant in Dnipro, a facility that once manufactured intercontinental ballistic missiles during Soviet times. Although no casualties were reported, the attack caused significant damage and raised fears of further escalations. Local residents turned to dark humor on social media, mocking the missile’s name, Oreshnik, which translates to “hazelnut tree” in Russian.
Elsewhere, Russia attacked a residential district in Sumy with Iranian-made Shahed drones, killing two and injuring 13, according to local authorities. Regional head Volodymyr Artiukh stated, “These weapons are used to destroy people, not to destroy objects,” highlighting the increasing human cost of the war.
The missile strike has drawn widespread condemnation. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský labeled it an “escalatory step” aimed at intimidating both Ukraine and Europe. During a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský pledged unwavering support for providing Ukraine with additional air defense systems, emphasizing that the Czech Republic would impose no restrictions on its military aid.
Meanwhile, Kyiv’s government has heightened security protocols, with recommendations to limit the activities of commercial offices and NGOs in central areas. Lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev confirmed that this is not the first time such precautions have been necessary.
As NATO and Ukraine prepare for Tuesday’s talks, international pressure mounts to address the implications of Russia’s deployment of advanced weaponry. The Pentagon has identified the Oreshnik as a new type of missile derived from Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, signaling a dangerous shift in the conflict’s trajectory.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
