Russian Defense Ministry Reports Successful Use of Oreshnik Missile Against Ukraine
The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported significant military actions taken by the Russian Armed Forces in the Special Military Operation (SVO) zone from November 16 to 22, 2024. In a notable development, the ministry confirmed the successful deployment of the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, marking its first combat use. This missile, equipped with non-nuclear hypersonic capabilities, was launched in response to attacks from American and British long-range weapons targeting Russian territory. The ministry stated, "All warheads reached the target," indicating a successful strike on a Ukrainian defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the missile's combat testing as a direct response to NATO's aggressive actions against Russia, asserting that current global air defense systems are incapable of intercepting such high-speed missiles, which travel at speeds of 10 Machs (approximately 2.5-3 km/s). The flight time of the Oreshnik missile to various European countries was also highlighted, with Poland being reached in just 8 minutes.
Impact on Ukrainian Military Infrastructure
The Russian Armed Forces conducted a series of coordinated strikes, utilizing high-precision weapons, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile and drone strikes. The attacks targeted critical components of Ukraine's military-industrial complex, energy facilities supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and various military infrastructures, including airfields and ammunition depots. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that significant damage was inflicted on Ukrainian military capabilities, including the destruction of temporary deployment points for Ukrainian units and foreign mercenaries.
During this period, the Russian military claimed to have liberated seven settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and noted the surrender of 82 Ukrainian servicemen along the contact line. The report detailed extensive losses on the Ukrainian side, with thousands of servicemen reported lost across various fronts.
Ongoing Frontline Developments
The report from the Russian Ministry of Defense detailed ongoing military operations across multiple fronts, including the Kursk region and Kharkov direction. Russian forces reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on Ukrainian brigades, with losses including tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces. The ministry indicated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered over 3,210 casualties in one week alone, alongside significant equipment losses, including Western-supplied military hardware.
The Russian military's operations have been characterized by a combination of aerial, drone, and artillery strikes targeting various Ukrainian military formations. The report concluded with an overview of the losses incurred by Ukrainian forces, emphasizing the effectiveness of Russian military strategies in the ongoing conflict.
