Russia launches Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Ukraine target near NATO border

Russia launched an Oreshnik hypersonic missile overnight at an infrastructure facility in Ukraine's western Lviv region, close to the border with NATO member Poland, Ukrainian officials have said. Kyiv's European allies on Friday described the strike as an attempt to intimidate them and deter continued support for Ukraine.

The launch is believed to mark only the second known combat use of the weapon. According to the Kremlin, the Oreshnik, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), travels at hypersonic speeds, can strike targets across Europe, and is impossible to intercept.

Moscow said the attack was carried out in retaliation for an alleged drone strike on President Vladimir Putin's residence last month, which Ukraine denies and the United States has said did not happen.

Analysts said the missile strike was intended to pressure Ukraine at a critical moment in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. They added that by targeting a site roughly 70 kilometers from the European Union border, Russia also sought to underscore Europe's vulnerability at a time when European states are accelerating efforts to strengthen their air-defense capabilities.

In a phone call on Friday, the leaders of UK, France and Germany condemned Russia's use of the missile as "escalatory and unacceptable," according to a UK government spokesperson. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy said on Facebook that the strike marked "a new level of threat – not only for Ukraine, but for Europe's security as a whole."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged neighboring countries to recognize the risks posed by such weapons. "From the standpoint of the use of medium-range ballistic missiles, this is the same challenge for Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest, and many other capitals," he said in his nightly video address. "Everyone should understand this in the same way and take it equally seriously."

Later on Friday, Zelenskyy signed a decree reshuffling the composition of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters. The decree appointed Deputy Defense Minister Serhiy Boiev, Defense Intelligence Chief Oleh Ivashchenko, and Kyrylo Budanov as new members, while removing Serhii Deineko, former head of the State Border Guard Service.

Chaired by the president, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters coordinates strategic command over Ukraine's armed forces and other military formations under martial law.

Despite high tensions, preparations for a possible ceasefire are underway. On Friday, the UK government announced that it earmarked £200 million ($268 million) to get British troops ready for deployment to Ukraine as part of a "multinational" force once fighting stops. That would include vehicle upgrades, communication systems and counter-drone protection. 

Earlier this week, Britain, France and Ukraine signed a declaration of intent that sets out deploying troops on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire - a plan which Moscow soundly rejected.

The announcement comes as UK media reported the Ministry of Defense was facing a £28 billion shortfall over the next four years, even as the government has pledged to boost military spending amid rising tensions with Russia. The Times newspaper first reported that the head of Britain's armed forces Richard Knighton warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the funding blackhole last month.