In response to an attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence in December, Russian forces launched a large-scale strike on critical targets in Ukraine in the early hours of 9 January. The attack involved the use of the Oreshnik missile system. The Russian side stated that the strike achieved its intended objectives. More details are in BelTA's overview.
What happened during the night?
On the night of 9 January, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced a threat of ballistic missile attack on Ukraine. An air raid alert was on in most regions of the country.
Meanwhile, information appeared in Ukrainian public channels that a critical infrastructure object in Lvov Oblast came under attack. Several videos capturing the moment of the attack were posted online. Suggestions emerged about the use of the Russian Oreshnik missile system.
“The Stryi gas field and underground gas storage facility could have been the targets for the Oreshnik,” the Ukrainian publication Strana said.
The Zapad Air Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the missile type is being identified, and its speed was 13,000 km/h. It was also indicated that the missile struck an infrastructure facility in Lvov.
Later, the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the probable use of the Oreshnik missile system against Ukraine. “The Air Force report states that a medium-range ballistic missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar test site in Astrakhan Oblast. The missile could not be intercepted,” Strana reported.
Statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a statement by morning. It confirmed that the Russian side had launched a large-scale strike on critically important targets on Ukrainian territory in response to Kiev’s attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2025.
“Tonight, in response to the terrorist attack by the Kiev regime on the residence of the president of the Russian Federation in Novgorod Oblast, carried out on the night of 29 December 2025, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation conducted a massive strike using long-range, high-precision ground- and sea-based weapons, including the medium-range Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system and strike drones, against critically important facilities on Ukrainian territory,” the statement from the ministry said.
The Ministry of Defense also stated that the objectives of the strike had been achieved. "Facilities involved in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles used in the terrorist attack, and also energy infrastructure supporting the operations of Ukraine's military-industrial complex, have been hit," the Ministry of Defense reported.
What happened during the night?
On the night of 9 January, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced a threat of ballistic missile attack on Ukraine. An air raid alert was on in most regions of the country.
Meanwhile, information appeared in Ukrainian public channels that a critical infrastructure object in Lvov Oblast came under attack. Several videos capturing the moment of the attack were posted online. Suggestions emerged about the use of the Russian Oreshnik missile system.
“The Stryi gas field and underground gas storage facility could have been the targets for the Oreshnik,” the Ukrainian publication Strana said.
The Zapad Air Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the missile type is being identified, and its speed was 13,000 km/h. It was also indicated that the missile struck an infrastructure facility in Lvov.
Statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a statement by morning. It confirmed that the Russian side had launched a large-scale strike on critically important targets on Ukrainian territory in response to Kiev’s attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2025.
“Tonight, in response to the terrorist attack by the Kiev regime on the residence of the president of the Russian Federation in Novgorod Oblast, carried out on the night of 29 December 2025, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation conducted a massive strike using long-range, high-precision ground- and sea-based weapons, including the medium-range Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system and strike drones, against critically important facilities on Ukrainian territory,” the statement from the ministry said.
The Ministry of Defense also stated that the objectives of the strike had been achieved. "Facilities involved in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles used in the terrorist attack, and also energy infrastructure supporting the operations of Ukraine's military-industrial complex, have been hit," the Ministry of Defense reported.
What is known about the attack on Putin’s residence?
In late December, Russia reported an attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike the Russian president’s residence in Novgorod Oblast. The attack, involving 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), began on the evening of 28 December and continued into the night of 29 December.
According to Chief of Russia’s Air Defense Missile Forces Alexander Romanenkov, the drones were launched from the territory of Ukraine’s Sumy and Chernigov regions.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the attack on Putin’s residence was targeted, meticulously planned, and carried out in echeloned waves. This is evidenced by the attack’s pattern, the number of aerial assets deployed, and their approach to the Russian leader’s residence from the southern, southwestern, and western directions.
Russian air defense systems destroyed 41 Ukrainian UAVs over Novgorod Oblast between 28 and December 29, 49 UAVs over Bryansk Oblast, and one over Smolensk Oblast.
According to Alexander Romanenkov, no one was injured and no damage was caused on Russian territory during the repelling of the attack.
What is notable about the Oreshnik?
Russia first used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in November 2024 to strike a Ukrainian defense industry facility. Moscow described the combat test of the Oreshnik as a forced measure, a response to strikes on Russian territory with Western long-range missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin detailed the missile’s power and potential targets during a CSTO meeting in November 2024. According to him, the Oreshnik is unmatched in the world.
"Dozens of self-guided warheads strike a target at Mach 10, roughly 3 kilometers per second. Their impact temperature reaches 4,000 degrees Celsius. If I remember correctly, the Sun’s surface is about 5,500 to 6,000 degrees. So, anything at the blast’s epicenter is fragmented into its most basic particles; it essentially turns to dust. This missile can hit even heavily fortified and deeply buried targets,” Vladimir Putin explained.
According to military and technical specialists, if these missiles are used en masse, in a clustered strike, the destructive power would be comparable to that of a nuclear weapon. However, Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Oreshnik is not a weapon of mass destruction. It is a high-precision weapon that carries no nuclear payload, meaning no nuclear contamination follows its use.
According to Vladimir Putin, Russia is working to improve the Oreshnik. He noted that the missile’s strike power is already colossal: everything at the center is turned to ash. Yet, its power can be increased even further.
The Russian president also likened the missile to a meteorite: “The kinetic impact is powerful, like a falling meteorite. We know from history where meteorites have fallen and what the consequences were. Sometimes it was enough to form entire lakes.”
Why Belarus needs the Oreshnik missile system
In his Address to the Belarusian People and the National Assembly of Belarus on 18 December, President Aleksandr Lukashenko announced that the Oreshnik missile system is entering combat service in Belarus. “The first positions for the Oreshnik missile system have been prepared. It has been with us since yesterday and is entering combat service,” the Belarusian leader stated.
The president also addressed the criticism from those who doubted the necessity of deploying such potent weapons in Belarus, arguing it would become a primary target for an attacking side and put the country under threat. “Ignore this talk,” the Belarusian leader urged.
The head of state made a comparison to the construction of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP). Initially, this decision faced criticism both domestically and from the country’s closest neighbors. Now, Lithuania is interested in the BelNPP, while Poland plans to build two nuclear facilities. Germany and France have fully resumed operations at their nuclear power plants.
“Therefore, ignore the talk about us becoming a target for strikes if we host nuclear weapons. If a war is waged against us, do you think they will treat us gently? No, they will attack. They will target the so-called ‘decision-making centers.’ That is why we are doing everything to prevent a war,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
The president also noted that the Russian Oreshnik system is over half produced in Belarus. “It turns out only the missile that is a complex technical structure is Russian-made. Everything else is Belarusian,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
On 24 December, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin reported to the head of state on the transition of the Oreshnik missile system to combat service. “I have delivered a detailed report to the head of state on the state of affairs in the Armed Forces. The president keeps his finger on the pulse in this matter. One of the issues reported to the head of state was the deployment process of the Oreshnik missile system and its transition to combat service,” the defense minister told journalists.
He also noted that the deployment of the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus will not affect the balance of power in Europe. “We must ensure the security of our citizens. Broadly speaking, this is our response to their [the West’s] aggressive actions, so they understand that if they come at us, they will face unacceptable damage. That is what it is intended for,” Viktor Khrenin said.
At the same time, he emphasized that Belarus remains open to dialogue. “We say openly: we are not going to fight with you, we are not a threat to you. We say: on the contrary, let’s talk, let’s return, at the very least, to the relations that should exist between neighbors,” the minister concluded.
Vita KHANATAYEVA,
BelTA
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