- January 9, 2026
- 11:34 am
- Ukraine
On the night of January 8, 2025, Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine, using the medium-range ballistic missile “Oreshnik” for the first time on Lviv and continuing intense shelling of Kyiv. According to official data, four people died in the capital; part of the city was left without electricity, water, and heating.
Numerous hits were recorded in residential areas in different districts. Ukrainian authorities indicate: in addition to air terror, the attack was aimed at district heating plants — an attempt to deprive people of heat during a period of sharp cold, which began today and, according to forecasts, will last at least a week.
Lviv — under “Oreshnik” strike for the first time
Late on January 8, the Russian army attacked Lviv with a medium-range ballistic missile for the first time during the full-scale war. The city is located less than 70 km from the European Union border, which takes the incident beyond purely Ukrainian security.
The fact of the strike was reported by the mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi. According to him, this is a “clear signal to international partners: Russia’s war does not stop at borders.” The military clarified that the missile followed a ballistic trajectory at a speed of about 13,000 km/h, which significantly complicates interception.
Kyiv and region: target — infrastructure
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, at night Russia used various types of weapons: “Kalibr” cruise missiles, hundreds of drones, and medium-range ballistics launched from the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan region. The main strike was on Kyiv and the region.
Ukrainian monitoring channels recorded powerful explosions in Lviv almost at midnight; authorities confirmed the “arrival,” not disclosing the type of missile in the first hours. Later, the use of “Oreshnik” was confirmed.
US warning and intimidation factor
A few hours before the attack, the US embassy issued a warning about a “serious attack.” In such cases, launches of missiles of this class are usually communicated to strategic opponents through closed channels to reduce the risk of an immediate retaliatory strike.
The key issue is political. The use of a medium-range missile in close proximity to the EU looks not only like an escalation against Ukraine but also as an element of pressure on Europe, which is already in a state of constant anxiety.
Moscow’s version and Kyiv’s reaction
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the “Oreshnik” strike was a “response” to an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai, and that the targets were Ukraine’s “critical facilities.” Kyiv rejects this version.
Ukraine is convening a meeting of the UN Security Council — a step expected and justified. However, the fundamental question remains: will there be an international reaction capable of stopping the further normalization of medium-range missile launches near the EU borders.
This is not only about military strikes but about testing Europe’s readiness to respond to direct escalation signals — this is the context in which the events are analyzed by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.
