Kyiv launched a wave of drone attacks targeting several Russian cities overnight, marking a significant escalation in Ukraine‘s long-range strike capabilities. The attacks, reported early Friday, impacted Moscow, the surrounding region, and other areas, causing damage and disrupting civilian life.
This offensive follows a period of heightened tensions, fueled by Russia‘s continued military operations in Ukraine and its deployment of missiles like the 9M729 – a development that prompted the United States to withdraw from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty in 2019. Washington maintained the missile violated the treaty’s 500-kilometer range limit, a claim Russia denied. The 9M729, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, has a range of 2,500 kilometers, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). A recent instance saw a 9M729 travel over 1,200 kilometers before impacting Ukraine on October 5.
Andrii Sybiha, an aide to ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated, “Russia’s use of the INF-banned 9M729 against Ukraine in recent months demonstrates lack of respect [of President Vladimir] Putin towards the United States and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.“
Analysts suggest Russia’s actions, including tests of nuclear-powered cruise missiles like the Bourevestnik and the Poseidon torpedo, are intended to increase pressure during ongoing Ukraine negotiations. William Alberque of the Pacific Forum think tank told Reuters, “I think Putin is trying to increase the pressure in the Ukraine negotiations,” adding the 9M729 was designed to strike targets in Europe.
The white House has not yet commented on the recent drone attacks or the 9M729 launches. However, former President Donald Trump recently ordered the US military to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing programs in “other countries.”
Evidence of previous 9M729 use was found in the debris following a Russian strike on the village of Lapaivka, over 600 kilometers from Russian territory on October 5, where four peopel were killed and a residential building damaged.Images reviewed by Reuters showed missile fragments marked 9M729, including a tube containing cables.
