Experts: First evidence of 9M729 missile use in Ukraine

According to two independent experts, images of debris from Russian attacks in Ukraine suggest that Moscow used a 9M729 guided missile – a weapon whose development prompted Donald Trump to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) banning medium-range missiles in 2019.

Photographs of the fragments were provided to Reuters by three Ukrainian sources close to law enforcement agencies. This marks the first visual evidence of the missile’s use in the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine says the missile travelled more than 1,200 kilometres, which would significantly exceed the limits set by the original agreement. Russia acknowledges the existence of the missile but denies breaching the treaty.

Analysts say the repeated use of the 9M729 and the new Oreshnik ballistic missile symbolises the collapse of the post-Cold War nuclear arms control system. At the same time, concern is growing in Europe, as the range of these weapons would allow them to reach several NATO capitals.

(reuters, pir)