Zelensky Warns Russia Preparing Oreshnik Attack on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing an attack on Ukraine using the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, citing intelligence from Ukraine, the United States and Europe.

The warning came a day after President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to prepare options to retaliate against Ukraine for a drone attack on a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military has denied responsibility for that attack.

"We are seeing signs of preparation for a combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, involving various types of weaponry. The specified intermediate-range weapons could be used in such a strike", Zelensky wrote on X.

Russia has twice attacked Ukraine with the Oreshnik missile, which Putin has claimed cannot be intercepted due to its alleged speed of more than 10 times the speed of sound.

"We are drawing the attention of our partners in the United States and in Europe to the fact that the use of such weapons and the prolongation of this war also sets a global precedent for other potential aggressors", Zelensky said.

Zelensky said Kyiv was counting on a global reaction, one that would be "preventive" rather than coming "post factum". He added that pressure should be put on Moscow to prevent further escalation of the war.

(reuters, luc)