The United States condemned Russia’s recent use of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile in Ukraine, describing it as a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” during an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Monday.
The intermediate-range missile, which was not armed with a nuclear warhead, was used on Friday. US Deputy UN Ambassador Tammy Bruce stated, “Russia’s use… constitutes another dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war, even as the United States is urgently working with Kyiv, other partners and Moscow to end the war through a negotiated settlement.”
Bruce added, “We condemn Russia’s continuing and intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure.”
Moscow claimed on Monday that the missile struck an aviation repair facility in the Lviv region of western Ukraine. Russian officials stated the attack was a response to an alleged Ukrainian attempt to strike one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, a claim that Kyiv has denied.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed that a missile was fired on the Lviv region, which borders Poland, but did not confirm if the plant was hit.
Acting British Ambassador James Kariuki described the attack as “reckless,” noting that “it threatens regional and international security and carries significant risk of escalation and miscalculation.”
In addition to the Oreshnik missile deployment, Russia conducted extensive air strikes on the capital, Kyiv, on Friday. These attacks killed at least four people and disrupted heating for half of the city’s residential buildings amid freezing winter conditions.
