Ukraine has accused Vladimir Putin of committing another ‘war crime’ following Russia’s launch of a powerful new hypersonic weapon in recent overnight attacks. The barrage of Russian strikes on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, with additional strikes hitting civilian areas in the Lviv region near the Polish border.
The Ukrainian SBU security service has released images of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile recovered from the debris in Lviv, confirming that they are treating the use of this weapon as a war crime. Components of the missile, including its stabilisation and guidance block described as the “brains” of the weapon, were displayed by Ukrainian investigators.
Preliminary analysis indicates that the missile was fired from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site, located approximately 900 miles away. The recovered parts are being classified as evidence for detailed forensic examination, potentially offering valuable intelligence on the Russian Oreshnik weapon.
Investigators have initiated a war crimes case under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code to address violations of the laws and customs of war. The missile, touted by Moscow as a ‘new-generation’ strategic weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was reportedly used against civilian infrastructure, not military targets, during a period of extreme vulnerability for Ukraine in harsh weather conditions.
The attack targeting Europe’s largest gas storage facility in the Lviv region, near NATO and EU territory, has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials. The strike is believed to have been a political signal rather than a military advancement, aimed at instilling fear rather than achieving a military objective.
Efforts are underway to identify and hold accountable all individuals involved in planning and executing the strike. Additionally, discussions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron have highlighted the ongoing close coordination with the US to secure a peace deal for Ukraine amidst escalating tensions. The leaders have condemned Russia’s escalatory actions, including the use of the Oreshnik missile in western Ukraine, as unacceptable.