Zelenskyy on Oreshnik missile: Equal challenge for Warsaw, Bucharest, and Budapest
Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Office of the President of Ukraine)
The use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine, striking the Lviv region, is strikingly close to the borders of European Union countries. And it poses the same challenge to many European capitals, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in his evening address.
The president noted that the attack with the Russian Oreshnik missile occurred strikingly close to the borders of European Union countries. Given the use of a medium-range ballistic missile, this is an equal challenge for Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest, and many other capitals.
"Everyone should understand equally — and take equally seriously — that if the Russians don’t even try to come up with a plausible reason for using such weapons, you cannot shield yourself with personal connections or any rhetoric. There must be a system of joint action, a system of collective defense that actually works," Zelenskyy emphasized.
At the same time, the president added that the question of whether such a collective defense system exists remains open, unanswered.
"It’s an unanswered question because everyone in Europe has the same doubt: will they defend their capital if something strikes Putin’s mind," he concluded.
Earlier, Zelenskyy stressed that the massive Russian missile and drone attack on the night of January 9, including the use of a medium-range ballistic missile, is a direct demonstration by the Kremlin of disrespect toward the US and the peace efforts of US President Donald Trump.
Oreshnik attack
On the night of January 9, Russia attacked the Lviv region with a medium-range ballistic missile. It is believed that the medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik was launched — monitors reported unusual activity at the Kapustin Yar missile test site in Russia’s Astrakhan region.
On the morning of January 9, Russia confirmed the launch of a ballistic missile at Lviv and referenced a fake story about an alleged "attack on Putin’s residence." This was how Russia explained its latest act of terrorism against Ukraine. Later, the attack with the Russian Oreshnik was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During the day, Ukraine’s Security Service displayed fragments of the Russian ballistic missile used in the attack on the Lviv region. The strike has already been classified as a war crime.
In the EU, commenting on Russia’s latest act of terror, officials noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is showing that he does not want peace and responds to diplomacy with missile strikes. The launch of the Oreshnik at Ukraine serves as a warning to Europe and the US. Interestingly, Poland tracked the hostile missile — Ukraine had prior knowledge of the potential launch and warned its partners.
