Ukraine on Edge Over Possible Oreshnik Missile Launches
Ukraine reports a possible Oreshnik missile threat from Kapustin Yar, triggering alerts and media claims about a strike on Lviv. Get the full details.
Concern is growing in Ukraine over the possibility of launches of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile.
According to the Ukrainian Telegram channel Insider.ua, the threat of Oreshnik launches from the Kapustin Yar test range remains in place until February 19, and the number of air raid alerts could increase during this period.
On February 12, Ukrainian media outlets began widely circulating reports claiming that an Oreshnik missile had been launched. Lviv was most frequently named as the presumed target. The reports surfaced at around 13:30 Moscow time, but the air raid alert that followed was lifted roughly ten minutes later.
Insider.ua later clarified that no actual Oreshnik launch had taken place. The channel suggested that other military equipment was likely being tested at the range instead.
Neither Kiev nor Moscow has issued official statements regarding the February 12 reports.
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that on the night of January 9 Russian forces had struck the Lviv State Aviation Repair Plant using the Oreshnik system. At the time, Lviv Mayor Andrei Sadovoi said the attack had serious consequences for Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.