Ukraine shows fragments of new Russian missile after ‘Oreshnik’ strike

A reporter films parts of a missile that were collected for examination from the impact site in the town of Dnipro following an attack, on November 24, 2024 at a forensic expert center in an undisclosed location in Ukraine.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Ukraine displayed fragments of the Russian missile used in the recent strike on Dnipro, following Russia’s testing of the Oreshnik ballistic missile.

The strike, carried out by Russia on Thursday, was described by President Vladimir Putin as a test of the new Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

The SBU security service in Ukraine showcased metal fragments of the missile at an undisclosed location, with investigators examining the debris for more information on the missile’s characteristics.

The missile, which caused damage in Dnipro, was said to be ballistic and had affected civilian and infrastructure.

In response to Ukraine’s use of long-range weaponry, Russia launched the IRBM, which Putin claimed flies at 10 times the speed of sound and cannot be intercepted by air defenses.

The missile targeted a defense industry production facility in Dnipro, with reports suggesting it may have been aimed at the aerospace manufacturer Yuzhmash.

Promising further testing and production of the Oreshnik missile, Putin’s actions have been condemned by Ukrainian President Zelensky as “Russian madness.”

Ukraine’s military intelligence had prior knowledge of the missile prototypes before the strike occurred.