Russia has confirmed the use of its new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in a strike against the Ukrainian city of Lviv, marking only the second known operational deployment of the system. While the physical damage from the strike appears limited, Western defense analysts widely interpret the launch as a strategic signal rather than a battlefield necessity. The missile’s performance characteristics — including hypersonic speed, extended range, and MIRV compatibility — suggest Moscow is deliberately demonstrating a weapon designed to hold NATO territory and leadership centers at risk. Derived from the RS-26 Rubezh program, Oreshnik fills a niche between theater and intercontinental systems, blurring the line between regional warfare and strategic deterrence.
