Russia Uses New Hypersonic Missile in Major Ukraine Strike

Russia has used its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in a large overnight attack on Ukraine. The Russian military said it launched the intermediate-range ballistic missile. Ukraine confirmed the strike happened in western Ukraine, near the border with the European Union. Moscow claimed the attack was retaliation for an attempted Ukrainian drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in late December. Kyiv called the accusation "absurd." The United States has also said the allegation is false. Hypersonic missiles are weapons that can travel faster than five times the speed of sound. They are difficult to intercept with existing air defense systems.