Russia Intensifies Ukraine Missile Strikes, Deploying INF-Treaty Violating 9M729
KYIV, Ukraine – Russian missile attacks on Ukraine reached their highest intensity in nearly two years in October, with the deployment of the 9M729 cruise missile – a weapon that prompted the United States to withdraw from a key Cold War-era arms control treaty.
The 9M729, also known as the SSC-8, has a range of 2,500 kilometers, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Missile Threat project. Washington argued the missile violated the 1987 Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which limited ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. russia denied the allegations.
A military source indicated a 9M729 launched by Russia on october 5 traveled over 1,200 kilometers before impacting Ukraine. Reuters documented debris from a Russian strike on the village of Lapaivka, over 600 kilometers from Russian territory, revealing fragments marked 9M729, including a tube containing cables. The attack killed four people and struck a residential building.
“Russia’s use of the INF-banned 9M729 against Ukraine in recent months demonstrates a lack of respect [from President Vladimir] Putin towards the united States and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” stated Andrii Sybiha in a written statement.
Analysts suggest the deployment is a deliberate escalation. “I think Putin is trying to increase the pressure in the ukraine negotiations,” William Alberque, associate member of the Pacific Forum think tank, told Reuters, adding the 9M729 is designed to strike targets in europe.
The increased missile activity coincides with renewed nuclear signaling from Moscow. Russia recently tested its nuclear-powered Bourevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo.
In response, former President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the US military to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing programs in “other countries.” The white House has not yet responded to questions regarding the 9M729 launches.
