Camilla Jessen
A previously undisclosed Ukrainian operation has eliminated one of Russia’s most advanced missile systems.
Ukraine’s intelligence services have revealed the successful destruction of Russia’s top-secret “Oreshnik” missile system during a covert operation at the Kapustin Yar testing range—one of the most closely guarded military sites in Russia.
Speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 31, Security Service (SBU) chief Vasyl Malyuk confirmed the strike, calling it “100% successful.”
The operation, carried out jointly by the SBU and Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), remained classified until now.
“This was a successful mission,” Malyuk said. “Enough time has passed, and we can finally talk about it.”
The strike reportedly took place “the summer before last,” according to Malyuk, at a time when the missile system’s very name was still undisclosed.
President Zelenskyy confirmed the target was the “Oreshnik”—also known as “Kedr”—a new medium-range ballistic missile platform capable of reaching up to 5,000 kilometers.
Zelenskyy added that Russia had conducted three test launches before the system was destroyed and warned that Moscow may still possess up to six operational units, with plans to deploy them in Belarus.
“Europeans should pay close attention to these risks,” Zelenskyy said.
The system’s existence was inadvertently exposed by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who had previously referenced the “Oreshnik” during a public appearance.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
