Russia launched a hypersonic ballistic missile strike on Ukrainian territory overnight on January 9, 2026, as part of a broader barrage of missiles and drones targeting the country’s infrastructure and cities.
According to reports, the Russian Ministry of Defence said its forces, “The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike with high-precision long-range land- and sea-based weapons, including the Oreshnik mobile medium-range ground-based missile system,” This marks one of the most advanced weapons ever used by Moscow during the conflict.
The missile, a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, was reported travelling at extremely high speeds, and Ukraine’s Air Force said it was “moving at a speed of about 13,000 kilometers per hour along a ballistic trajectory.” The exact impact point was not confirmed immediately, but Ukrainian officials reported multiple explosions in western Lviv and other regions.
The ballistic missile was accompanied by several drones and other missiles
According to reports, Russian strikes were not limited to the hypersonic ballistic missile, they also included the launch of dozens of drones and conventional missiles, which overwhelmed the Ukrainian air defences. The authorities said that it was one of the most intensive attacks in recent months. Ukrainian air defences reportedly brought down many projectiles, however, several passed through.
Local officials confirmed that the attacks killed many civilians and inflicted damage on infrastructure. At least four people were killed, and more than two dozen were injured in Kyiv by missiles and drones, with fires and disruption of water and power reported across the capital.
The Russian government claimed the strike was in retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence, a narrative Kyiv and many Western officials have denied.
International reactions to the strike remain tense, with Ukraine calling for greater support and widespread condemnation of Moscow’s use of highly advanced weapons systems amid broader disputes over how to secure a ceasefire.
What Is the Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Russia Used?
The missile reportedly used in the strike, known as Oreshnik, is an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of hypersonic speeds and is generally defined as faster than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5). According to available information, Oreshnik is derived from Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile design and can exceed Mach 10, which is over 10 times the speed of sound. It is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and conventional payloads.
Hypersonic ballistic missiles move with extreme speed and adjusts its trajectory during flight, which helps it evade air defence systems and can strike enemy deep in its territory.
