Ukrainian armed forces cancel Oreshnik missile threat alert

Ukrainian media had earlier reported a potential launch of the Russian Oreshnik missile, raising concerns about imminent strikes on Ukrainian territory. 

Times of Ukraine TV channel stated that if the missile launch had indeed taken place, its impact could only be confirmed once it reached a populated area. Kyiv was reported to be at risk within minutes, while Lviv was projected as a potential target around 12:40 p.m. local time.

However, the Ukrainian Air Force has now announced the cancellation of the warning regarding potential medium-range missile strikes. The update was posted on the air force’s official Telegram channel. Earlier reports of the “Oreshnik” launch did not result in any confirmed missile impacts.

The Oreshnik system is a Russian mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile system reportedly derived from the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile. With fewer booster stages, it is smaller in size and has an estimated range of about 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles). Russia first used a missile from the system in November 2024 in a strike on the Pivdenmash facility in Dnipro.

Russian forces have conducted experimental launches of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile which was first operationally used against Ukraine in November 2024 when a launch from Kapustin Yar was directed at the city of Dnipro. Subsequent strikes attributed to Oreshnik launches from Kapustin Yar include a January 2026 strike on infrastructure near Lviv.

By Vafa Guliyeva