Following Russia's overnight strike on Bila Tserkva, Defense Express suggested that the Russian military may have attempted to hit Kyiv with an "Oreshnik" intermediate-range ballistic missile but missed by approximately 80 kilometers. At the same time, analysts emphasize that there is currently no confirmation of this version, UNN reports.
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As the publication notes, Russia's main strike on the night of May 24 was focused specifically on the capital. The Russians used drones, cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, so the appearance of the "Oreshnik" over the Kyiv region raised questions about whether it was part of the attack on Kyiv itself. However, Defense Express also allows for the possibility that Bila Tserkva was the target from the beginning, specifically one of the local airfields or other infrastructure.
According to the OSINT channel "CyberBoroshno," the missile hit a garage cooperative. Following the attack, the Kyiv Regional Military Administration reported damage to garages and enterprise buildings in the Bila Tserkva district. Analysts emphasize that the effectiveness of such a use of the "Oreshnik" looks questionable, as the missile in its "kinetic version" is used effectively without a full-fledged warhead.
The article also notes that the "Oreshnik" remains primarily a tool of psychological pressure and terror. At the same time, Defense Express pointed out that the intervals between the use of this IRBM are shortening, which may indicate a gradual increase in the production of such missiles in the Russian Federation.