Ukraine Says It Destroyed Oreshnik Missile Inside Russia
- * Ukrainian Operation: The Security service of Ukraine (SBU) claims to have successfully destroyed one "Oreshnik" missile at a Russian missile testing range in the Astrakhan region (Kapustin...
- * Unverified Claims: Both The Moscow Times and Reuters state they cannot independently verify the SBU's claim of destroying the missile.
- In essence, the article reports on a claimed Ukrainian success in damaging Russian military capabilities, but highlights the lack of independant confirmation and the potential implications of a...
Here’s a breakdown of the key facts from the provided text:
Key Events & Claims:
* Ukrainian Operation: The Security service of Ukraine (SBU) claims to have successfully destroyed one “Oreshnik” missile at a Russian missile testing range in the Astrakhan region (Kapustin Yar).
* Timing discrepancy: There’s conflicting information on when this operation occurred. President Zelensky suggests summer 2023, while the SBU chief (Vasyl Maliuk) is cited as saying summer 2024.
* Collaboration: The operation was a joint effort between the SBU,the HUR (military intelligence),and foreign intelligence services.
* Oreshnik missile:
* Russia first used this missile in an attack on Dnipro, Ukraine, in November 2024.
* putin claims it’s uninterceptable and has nuclear-like destructive power (a claim met with skepticism).
* Russia can reportedly produce up to six per year.
* Russia plans to deploy them to Belarus.
Verification & Context:
* Unverified Claims: Both The Moscow Times and Reuters state they cannot independently verify the SBU’s claim of destroying the missile.
* Sanctions Request: Zelensky has urged Western governments to sanction 25 Russian companies involved in the Oreshnik missile program, citing risks to Europe.
In essence, the article reports on a claimed Ukrainian success in damaging Russian military capabilities, but highlights the lack of independant confirmation and the potential implications of a new, possibly dangerous missile system.
