Russia prepares new missile test amid heightened tension in Ukraine
Russia may launch another medium-range Oreshnik ballistic missile towards Ukraine in the coming days, reports Bloomberg, citing an American official. According to the Associated Press (AP) agency, this is also confirmed by U.S. intelligence. Washington believes that such actions by the Kremlin are a means of intimidating Ukraine.
- Russia likely possesses only a handfulof them. The weapon has a smaller warhead than other missiles Russia has deployed in Ukraine - said the official, who requested anonymity. He added that "We assess that the Oreshnik is not a game-changer on the battlefield."
Moscow used the Oreshnik for the first time last month in response to U.S. approval for Ukraine to use American weapons on Russian territory.
On Sunday, the American embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert for U.S. citizens in Ukraine. The reason? "Due to increased threats from Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure," it reads. At that time, there was already concern that the Kremlin would attack Ukraine with an Oreshnik missile.
As reported by Russian media, from December 10 to 13, the airspace over the Kapustin Yar proving ground - from where the Oreshnik missile was launched - will be closed.
- This may indicate preparations for an attack on downtown Kyiv - political scientist Vadim Denysenko informed in a comment for NEXTA. - It's hard to say what's going to happen now. But if the Russians strike with the Oreshnik, it means that Putin is not yet ready for negotiations and intends to delay them, he added.
On November 21, 2024, the Russians attacked the Ukrainian city of Dnipro for the first time with an Oreshnik missile equipped with six warheads, and the flight time from the Astrakhan region in Russia to the target was only 15 minutes (flight distance approximately 1,150 km).
