Ukraine is approaching a situation in which Russia could use the Oreshnik missile system against it, according to Andrey Kolesnik, a member of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee. He said an increase in attacks on civilians could become a condition for the weapon’s use.

Kolesnik described Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks on Novorossiysk and Sochi as terrorist attacks. He drew particular attention to the latest attack on Sochi, which injured people attending a concert at the Festivalny concert hall. According to the lawmaker, the strike hit the Primorsky Boulevard area, which also includes the Marine Station and Marina yacht club, and contains no military facilities.

He also stressed that the attack involved unmanned surface vessels rather than aerial drones, meaning their course could not be explained by electronic warfare systems diverting UAVs from their intended targets. Kolesnik said the vessels were deliberately heading toward the area.

The lawmaker described the incident as a terrorist attack supported by the West. In his assessment, if such attacks continue and become more frequent, Ukraine is close to facing the use of the Oreshnik missile system.