Russia Says It Used Nuclear-Capable Missile to Strike Ukraine
The New York Times••general
Key Points:
- The Russian defense ministry announced it struck Ukraine with a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, targeting drone production and energy infrastructure near Lviv.
- Russia claimed the strike was retaliation for a supposed Ukrainian attack on President Putin’s residence, a claim denied by Ukraine and unsupported by U.S. intelligence.
- The missile launch from the Kapustin Yar strategic nuclear testing site marks only the second use of the Oreshnik missile in the conflict, indicating an escalation near NATO and EU borders.
- The strike coincides with stalled peace talks, as Ukraine refuses Russian demands to cede territory, amid broader geopolitical tensions including U.S. sanctions enforcement against Russian-Venezuelan oil shipments.
