Russia Fires Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile Near Poland Border

In a significant escalation, Russia fired its advanced hypersonic Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile at a target in western Ukraine’s Lviv region overnight January 9-10, 2026—striking just 60-70 km from the border with NATO member Poland.

This marks only the second combat use of the Oreshnik (first in November 2024 against Dnipro). Moscow confirmed the launch as part of a larger barrage: 242 drones + 36 missiles overnight, killing at least 4 in Kyiv (including an emergency worker), causing widespread power outages, and damaging infrastructure like the Qatari embassy.

The strike hit critical energy facilities, with Ukraine’s security service recovering missile fragments. Analysts say it carried inert/dummy warheads, serving as a psychological warning rather than full destruction.

Why This Matters: Speed & NATO Proximity

The Oreshnik travels at Mach 10+ (over 12,000 km/h), making it nearly impossible to intercept with current defenses. Nuclear-capable with a 5,000+ km range, it can reach most European capitals.

Location is key: Lviv is near Poland—any spillover risks direct NATO involvement under Article 5. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called it “a clear escalation… meant as a warning to Europe and the US.”

Russia claims it retaliated for an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence (denied by Kyiv & Washington). Analysts see it as intimidation during fragile Paris peace talks, where UK/France signaled postwar troops.

Global Reactions & UN Response

Ukraine’s FM called it a “grave threat” to European security. UK, US, France condemned as “unacceptable escalation.” UN Security Council set emergency session.

Social media buzzes with #Oreshnik and #UkraineWar:

🚨Russia Fires Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile at Western Ukraine Near Poland Border Russia used its nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in an overnight strike on January 9, 2026, targeting infrastructure in the Lviv region — about 60-70 km from NATO-member Poland's border.

— GeoMukeem (@mukeemkhann) January 11, 2026

Another reaction:

Russia hits Ukraine with Oreshnik hypersonic missile: Why it matters. The Oreshnik missile struck close to Ukraine’s border with Poland, a NATO member.

— JahangeerA4928 (@JahangeerA4928) January 11, 2026

This move heightens risks amid sputtering peace efforts. Stay tuned to TrendPulse for live updates on this developing crisis!