Russia’s cutting-edge Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system was deployed during an overnight strike targeting drone production facilities, energy infrastructure, and other military-related sites within Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The offensive action was described by Moscow as retaliation for an alleged “terrorist attack” by the Kiev regime on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod Region. On December 28-29, Ukraine reportedly launched 91 long-range UAVs at the presidential compound, all of which were intercepted by air defense systems.

In a statement released Friday, the Defense Ministry reported that Russia also utilized other high-precision land and sea-based weapons, as well as drones, during the strike. Targets included facilities critical to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, with officials stating that “the objectives of the strike have been achieved.”

An unverified video circulating on social media showed a suspected Oreshnik missile launch in western Ukraine, captured by CCTV in Lviv Region. The footage depicted multiple projectiles descending rapidly, consistent with the system’s operational characteristics. Local authorities reported damage to critical infrastructure, and Russian Telegram channels suggested an underground gas facility near Striy—approximately 60 kilometers south of Lviv—was struck.

This marks the second use of Russia’s Oreshnik system in combat operations since November 2024, when it targeted a weapons plant in Dnepr. Following that incident, which Moscow described as a successful “combat test,” mass production of the Oreshnik has begun and the system has been deployed on Russian ally Belarus.

According to reports from Moscow, the Oreshnik missile, capable of carrying multiple warheads traveling at hypersonic speeds, is designed to obliterate targets with extreme precision.