Quick Summary
- 1The United States has strongly criticized Russia for utilizing a nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system during a massive attack on Ukraine.
- 2The strike, which occurred on Friday, resulted in at least four deaths and 22 injuries, according to Ukrainian authorities.
- 3The US Ambassador to the UN, Tammy Bruce, described the deployment of the hypersonic weapon as a 'dangerous escalation' during an emergency Security Council meeting.
- 4While the missile did not carry a nuclear warhead, its use marks a significant development in the conflict.
Quick Summary
The United States has formally condemned the Russian Federation for deploying a nuclear-capable missile system against Ukraine. The incident took place during a massive offensive launched on Friday, involving dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones.
During an emergency session of the UN Security Council, US officials labeled the strike a 'dangerous escalation'. The attack resulted in civilian casualties and targeted critical energy infrastructure.
Key details include:
- At least four people were killed and 22 injured.
- Russia launched 36 missiles and 242 drones.
- The weapon used was the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile.
- Russia claims the strike was retaliation for an alleged attack on Vladimir Putin's residence.
International Condemnation and UN Response
The United States issued a sharp rebuke regarding Russia's military actions on Monday, January 12. The statement was delivered during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
Tammy Bruce, the Deputy Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations, characterized the missile launch as 'another dangerous and unexplained escalation of the war'. The diplomatic response highlights growing international concern over the introduction of advanced weaponry into the conflict zone.
Following the offensive, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, submitted a formal letter requesting the Security Council meeting. In his statement, Melnyk asserted that the Russian Federation had reached a 'new and frightening level of war crimes'.
"mais uma escalada perigosa e sem explicação da guerra"— Tammy Bruce, US Deputy Ambassador to the UN
Details of the Attack
The offensive occurred on Friday, January 9. According to Ukrainian military data, the assault consisted of 36 missiles and 242 drones targeting the country.
The Russian military stated that the operation was a direct response to a supposed attempt by Ukraine to attack President Vladimir Putin's residence in December 2025. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly denied any such operation took place.
The primary targets of the strike were identified as:
- Energy infrastructure supporting the Ukrainian military-industrial complex.
- Facilities used for the manufacturing of drones.
Despite the use of a nuclear-capable delivery system, officials confirmed that the missile did not carry a nuclear warhead during this specific strike.
The Oreshnik System 🚀
The weapon utilized in the strike is the Oreshnik, an intermediate-range ballistic missile system developed by Russia. This system officially entered active service at the end of 2025.
Experts describe the Oreshnik as one of the most difficult missiles to intercept currently in existence due to its hypersonic capabilities. The missile is capable of reaching speeds of up to 13,000 kilometers per hour and can strike targets at a distance of up to 5,500 kilometers.
Technical specifications of the system include:
- Range: Intermediate (up to 5,500 km), though previous launches were observed at ranges between 800 and 850 km.
- Speed: Hypersonic (up to 13,000 km/h).
- Warheads: Capable of utilizing MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology.
The MIRV technology allows a single missile to carry between six and eight individual warheads, each programmed to strike a different target during the final phase of flight. The system has previously been deployed in Belarus, where units have been installed.
Historical Context
This is not the first time the Oreshnik system has been used in the conflict. The Russian Federation first deployed the weapon in November 2024.
That initial use was described as an experimental launch directed at a factory in Dnipro, Ukraine. The transition from experimental use to active combat deployment in January 2026 signifies a rapid intensification of the military capabilities being utilized in the region.
The continued use of such advanced systems raises questions regarding the trajectory of the conflict and the potential for further escalation involving high-speed, nuclear-capable weaponry.
"A Federação Russa atingiu um novo e assustador nível de crimes de guerra e crimes contra a humanidade com o terror perpetrado contra civis e infraestrutura civil na Ucrânia"— Andriy Melnyk, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN
Frequently Asked Questions
Russia used the Oreshnik, a nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missile system.
The United States condemned the attack as a 'dangerous escalation' during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
Ukrainian authorities reported at least four deaths and 22 injuries.
