Explosions rock Lviv: Details on infrastructure damage and Oreshnik rumors
A series of explosions were heard in Lviv (Illustrative photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine – DSNS)
In Lviv, a series of loud explosions was heard during the night of January 8–9. Online reports claimed a strike by the Oreshnik system, but this information has not been officially confirmed.
Everything known about the situation in Lviv is detailed in the RBC-Ukraine report below.
Key takeaways:
- Explosions in Lviv were heard around midnight.
- The Regional Military Administration reported an attack on a critical infrastructure facility.
- Whether the Oreshnik system was used is still unknown.
- Civilian facilities were not affected.
- Radiation levels are within the normal range.
- The missile heading to Lviv was traveling at a speed of 13,000 km/h.
Explosions in Lviv: what happened
After 11:00 p.m. Kyiv time, an alert was issued across Ukraine due to the threat of ballistic missiles. In addition, the enemy launched drones, and explosions were heard in Kyiv and some other regions. However, there were no reports of an air threat specifically for Lviv.
However, around midnight, reports appeared online about a series of loud explosions in Lviv. This information was later confirmed by the city’s mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, and then by the head of the Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi.
It is currently known that a critical infrastructure facility in the Lviv region was attacked. Specialized services are working at the site of the attack. At the same time, residential buildings and civilian facilities were not affected.
Why Oreshnik was mentioned
Immediately after the air raid alert was announced, monitors began reporting the potential threat of an Oreshnik missile launch.
Russia has launched this missile against Ukraine once before - in November 2024. At that time, the city of Dnipro was targeted. The missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar testing ground in the Astrakhan region, where the RS-26 Rubezh complexes are based. These systems are designed for nuclear strikes at distances up to 6,000 km.
For more details about the Oreshnik missile, see the separate RBC-Ukraine report.
Was it really an Oreshnik?
According to the Air Force, on January 8 at around 11:30 p.m. Kyiv time, a missile alert was issued across all of Ukraine due to the threat of ballistic missiles being launched from the Kapustin Yar testing ground.
“Explosions were recorded in the Lviv region. Information is being clarified,” the Air Force added.
At the same time, Mayor Sadovyi also noted that it is still unknown whether an Oreshnik missile was used in Lviv, and confirmation is expected from the military.
Kozytskyi also reported that radiation levels at the site of the missile strike in Lviv are within normal limits, and no harmful substances were detected in the air.
What is known about the missile
According to the Western Air Command, the missile was flying along a ballistic trajectory at a speed of approximately 13,000 km/h. However, the type of missile has not been disclosed.
Which specific ballistic missile the enemy used to strike Lviv will be determined after analyzing all of its components.
In addition to Lviv, explosions were heard today in Kyiv as well. The enemy is attacking the city with drones, and the Kyiv region is also under attack.
For details on the consequences of the Kyiv attack, see the RBC-Ukraine report.
