NATO and Ukraine to Hold Emergency Talks After Russia's Attack with New Hypersonic Missile
NATO and Ukraine are set to hold urgent discussions on Tuesday following Russia's deployment of an experimental intermediate-range missile against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, marking a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The attack, which targeted a military facility in Dnipro on Thursday, involved Russia's new intermediate-range Oreshnik missile. According to Ukrainian military officials, the missile reached speeds of Mach 11 - eleven times the speed of sound - and carried multiple warheads.
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin framed the strike as retaliation for Ukraine's use of missiles from the U.S. and British. Putin claimed Western air defense systems would be unable to intercept the new weapon, announcing Russia has begun production and maintains a stockpile ready for use.
The missile strike prompted Ukraine's parliament to cancel its session and enhance security measures around government buildings in Kyiv. Three lawmakers confirmed the cancellation was due to threats of Russian missiles potentially targeting facilities in the capital's center.
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterized the conflict as "entering a decisive phase" with "very dramatic dimensions." Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky condemned the strike as an attempt to intimidate both Ukrainian and European populations.
The Pentagon has confirmed the Oreshnik is a new experimental missile based on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Russian military officials stated it can reach targets across Europe and be equipped with either conventional or nuclear warheads.
The attack struck Pivdenmash, a former Soviet-era ICBM production facility located about four miles from central Dnipro. While no fatalities were reported, the incident has heightened tensions and sparked international concern over Russia's expanding military capabilities.
In related developments, Russian forces conducted overnight drone strikes on residential areas in Sumy using Iranian-designed Shahed drones, resulting in two deaths and thirteen injuries according to regional authorities.
The emergency NATO-Ukraine talks will likely focus on coordinating responses to Russia's latest escalation and strengthening air defense capabilities to protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.