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The UK, Germany, and France criticized Russia’s strike on Ukraine using the intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile Oreshnik, describing it as “escalating and unacceptable.”

“It was evident that Russia was employing false accusations to support the attack,” said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a conversation with French and German leaders, as reported by a UK government representative.

On Friday night, Moscow deployed Oreshnik to strike vital infrastructure in Lviv, western Ukraine, located approximately 60 kilometers from the EU and NATO border.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv would take global measures in reaction to the missile’s deployment, such as convening an emergency session of the UN Security Council and a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

“A strike near the EU and NATO border poses a serious danger to security across Europe and challenges the transatlantic alliance. We call for robust reactions to Russia’s dangerous behavior,” he stated in a message on X.

The European Union’s foreign affairs head, Kaja Kallas, stated that the Oreshnik missile test was “intended as a message to Europe and the United States.”

“Putin isn’t seeking peace; Russia’s response to diplomacy is additional missiles and devastation,” Kallas posted on X.

Russia confirmed the deployment of the Oreshnik missile, stating that the IRBM strike was “a response” to Ukraine’s alleged attempt to target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month — a statement that Ukraine and the United States both refuted.

The CIA has concluded that Ukraine did not attack Putin’s home, as reported by US officials. US President Donald Trump also supported claims thatthe assault did not occur.

Kirill Dmitriev, a close associate of Putin and the Kremlin’s main negotiator with the United States, replied to Kallas on X — a social media site that is officially prohibited in Russia — using threats and offensive language.

“Kaja (Kallas) isn’t particularly smart or informed, yet she must be aware that there are no air defense systems capable of countering the Oreshnik hypersonic Mach 10 missile,” Dmitriev posted on X.

Russia’s second Oreshnik attack

The Oreshnik, meaning “hazelnut tree” in Russian, is one of Russia’s most recent weapons, and one that Moscow has been eager to highlight.

Its rockets can be fitted with nuclear warheads and are built to strike targets at significantly longer distances.

As per early reports, the Oreshnik missile utilized in the strike on Friday had non-functional warheads, suggesting the launch was primarily symbolic.

Moscow employed it in the same manner to target Dniproin November 2024in which was the initial use of this missile.

State-controlled Russian media stated that the Oreshnik missile could reach an air base in Poland within 11 minutes and NATO’s headquarters in Brussels in 17 minutes.

The governor of Lviv stated on Friday that Russian attacks had harmed a vital infrastructure site, although Ukrainian officials did not release further information.

Unconfirmed social media accounts indicated that Moscow aimed at a significant subterranean gas storage site.

The Ukrainian Security Service SBU published images claiming to depict parts of an Oreshnik missile found in the western Lviv area of Ukraine.

The SBU stated it is examining Russia’s deployment of the weapon against civilian facilities as a war crime, according to Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.

Half of Kyiv lost heating supply

Additionally, during the night into Friday, four individuals lost their lives and 24 others were hurt in Kyiv, the capital, in a large-scale missile and drone assault launched by Russia.

A paramedic was among the casualties from a double-tap attack, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“A paramedic lost his life, and four others were hurt while helping individuals in the Darnytskyi area,” he stated.

The Russian assault caused roughly half of Kyiv’s apartment buildings — almost 6,000 — to lose heating as temperatures dropped to around minus 16 degrees Celsius, according to Klitschko.

As municipal services brought electricity and heating back to public buildings, such as hospitals and maternity units, he advised the city’s inhabitants to consider moving temporarily if feasible.

“We are making every effort to address this as swiftly as possible. Nevertheless, the coordinated assault on Kyiv overnight was the most severe impact on the capital’s essential infrastructure,” Klitschko stated.

The city is also experiencing disruptions in water supply, with temporary power cuts being implemented.

“I urge the residents of the capital, who have the chance to temporarily depart the city for areas with other power and heating sources, to take this action,” Klitschko mentioned.