Ukraine has accused Vladimir Putin of committing another ‘war crime’ following the launch of a powerful new hypersonic weapon by Russia during overnight attacks.
A Russian barrage on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least four people, with additional strikes hitting civilian areas in the Lviv region near the Polish border.
The Ukrainian SBU security service has released images of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile discovered in the debris in Lviv, stating that it is treating the weapon’s use as a war crime.
Key components of the missile, including the stabilisation and guidance block described as the “brains” of the weapon, were showcased by Ukrainian investigators.
According to preliminary findings, the missile was fired from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site, approximately 900 miles away. All retrieved parts have been designated as evidence for further forensic analysis, potentially providing crucial intelligence on the Russian Oreshnik missile.
Investigators revealed that the missile was directed at civilian infrastructure rather than military targets, exploiting Ukraine’s vulnerability during severe cold weather conditions.
Reports indicate that Europe’s largest gas storage facility was among the targets, coinciding with a drop in temperatures to -12C overnight.
The SBU asserted that the Kremlin’s objective was to disrupt vital civilian infrastructure near the EU border amid harsh weather conditions.
A war crimes investigation has been initiated under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code to address violations of international laws and customs of war.
The Oreshnik missile, touted by Moscow as an advanced strategic weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has been previously utilized by Russia without explosive warheads, serving as a means to instill fear rather than cause destruction.
While the SBU did not confirm the presence of a full warhead on the missile, the recovered fragments align with characteristics of a medium-range ballistic strike.
The proximity of the strike to the Lviv region, close to NATO and EU territories, has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials about the political message behind the attack rather than its military significance.
Efforts are underway to identify and hold accountable all individuals responsible for orchestrating and executing the missile strike, as confirmed by the SBU.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has engaged with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Ukraine, Greenland, and Iran, reflecting on the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris and emphasizing close collaboration with the US to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, according to a Downing Street spokeswoman.
The leaders condemned Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, including the deployment of an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in western Ukraine, deeming them as escalatory and unacceptable.