In a chilling development that marks a new phase in the Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow launched an experimental ballistic missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro early Thursday morning. The attack, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “a clear and severe escalation”, has sent shockwaves through the international community and raised fears of a dangerous new chapter in the 33-month-old conflict.
A New and Deadly Weapon
According to sources close to the Ukrainian military, the missile used in the attack was a new type of medium-range ballistic missile known as “Oreshnik” (hazel). In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the use of this weapon, hinting ominously that it was capable of carrying a nuclear payload.
“We hit a Ukrainian military facility with a new Oreshnik missile”, Putin declared. “And we have the right to strike any western country that provides Kyiv with weapons used against Russian targets. If there is any escalation, we will respond decisively and symmetrically.”
A Wider Salvo
The Oreshnik was just one of nine missiles fired from Russia’s Astrakhan region in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday. While Ukraine’s air defenses managed to intercept six of the projectiles, the experimental ballistic missile slipped through, hitting its target “without consequences” according to the Ukrainian air force. However, complete information about casualties is still being gathered.
Zelenskyy’s Plea for Condemnation
In the wake of the attack, President Zelenskyy issued an impassioned call for the international community to strongly condemn Russia’s actions. He characterized the strike as a major escalation in both the “scale and brutality” of the war.
“This attack is yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace”, Zelenskyy said in a statement. “A response is needed. Pressure is needed. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength.”
NATO’s Response
NATO was quick to condemn the attack, with spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah accusing Russia of seeking to “terrorize” civilians and intimidate Ukraine’s allies. However, she made it clear that Moscow’s actions would not deter the alliance from supporting Kyiv.
“Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO allies from supporting Ukraine”, Dakhlallah stated.
A Concerning Development
The use of the Oreshnik missile comes on the heels of the US and UK lifting a ban on Ukraine striking Russian territory with advanced Western weapons. A US official confirmed that Russia notified Washington shortly before Thursday’s strike.
UN Secretary General António Guterres also expressed grave concern over the development, with his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric calling it “yet another concerning and worrying development” that was “going in the wrong direction”. He urged all parties to de-escalate and avoid targeting civilians or critical infrastructure.
Bloodshed Continues
Even as the shock of the Dnipro strike reverberated, the grim reality of the ongoing war continued to play out. Russian strikes killed at least two people in the northeastern city of Sumy early Friday morning, with a dozen more injured according to local officials.
Meanwhile, Moscow claimed to have captured the village of Dalne in the hotly contested Donetsk region, though Ukraine made no acknowledgment of this and noted that 10 out of 16 armed clashes in the area were still ongoing.
An Uncertain Future
As the world grapples with this alarming escalation, many are left wondering where the Russia-Ukraine war goes from here. With tensions at a boiling point and both sides seemingly determined to press on, the prospect of a peaceful resolution feels more distant than ever.
For the beleaguered people of Ukraine, who have endured unimaginable suffering and loss over the past two and a half years, the Dnipro attack is a bitter reminder that their long nightmare is far from over. As President Zelenskyy put it, “Russia must be forced into real peace”. But achieving that goal will likely require a level of international pressure and resolve that has thus far proven elusive.
In the coming days and weeks, the eyes of the world will be on Russia, Ukraine, and the international community as they navigate this perilous new phase of the conflict. The decisions made and actions taken now could well determine the fate not just of Ukraine, but of global peace and security for years to come. One thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher.
