Russia Hits Ukraine with Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile, Strikes Near Poland Border
Russia has escalated its military campaign against Ukraine by deploying the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in a strike that landed dangerously close to the Polish border, raising fresh alarm across Europe and among NATO allies. Ukrainian officials said the attack targeted infrastructure in western Ukraine late Friday, marking one of the most significant uses of advanced missile technology in the conflict so far.
The hypersonic weapon, capable of traveling at extreme speeds and evading most air defense systems, represents a new phase in Moscow’s battlefield tactics. Ukrainian air defense forces confirmed that while several incoming projectiles were intercepted, the Oreshnik missile reached its target, causing damage to transport and energy facilities. No official casualty figures were immediately released, but emergency services reported injuries and ongoing rescue operations.
The strike’s proximity to Poland, a NATO member, has intensified concerns about the war spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders. Polish defense authorities said they were closely monitoring airspace activity overnight and placed military units on heightened alert. “Any incident so close to our territory is taken seriously,” a senior Polish official said, stressing the need for continued vigilance in the region.
Kyiv condemned the attack as a deliberate act of intimidation aimed at Ukraine’s western supply routes, which play a key role in transporting military aid from Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the use of hypersonic weapons showed that Russia is “doubling down on escalation rather than seeking a path to peace.”
In Moscow, the defense ministry claimed the strike was a “successful precision operation” against what it described as strategic military targets. Russian officials have increasingly highlighted the role of advanced missile systems in recent months, portraying them as a response to Western military support for Ukraine.
International reaction was swift. NATO officials called the development “deeply concerning,” while European Union leaders urged restraint and warned of severe consequences if attacks threaten alliance territory. Security analysts say the deployment of hypersonic missiles near NATO borders signals a dangerous shift that could reshape the conflict’s dynamics.
As the war approaches another critical juncture, the latest strike underscores the growing risks facing the region. With advanced weapons now in play and tensions at a boiling point, diplomats fear that even a single miscalculation could trigger a far wider crisis across Europe.
