Ukraine is warning that Russia may be preparing a major air attack involving hypersonic missiles, raising new concerns about escalation in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said intelligence from Ukraine, the United States and Europe indicates that Russia could be preparing a combined strike against Kyiv and other targets. The attack could reportedly involve several types of weapons, including Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile.
The Oreshnik has become one of Russia’s most closely watched missile systems because of its reported speed and difficulty to intercept. Ukrainian officials say the missile can travel at more than 10 times the speed of sound, making it a serious threat to civilian and military targets.
The warning comes after recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure and amid growing Russian threats of retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered military planning after an attack in Russian-occupied Luhansk, though Ukraine has denied targeting civilians.
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Zelenskyy urged Western allies to respond before any major strike takes place. He said the use of advanced hypersonic weapons would not only threaten Ukraine but also raise broader security concerns for Europe.
Ukraine has faced repeated waves of Russian drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, including strikes on Kyiv and other cities. The latest warning suggests that Moscow may be preparing another large-scale assault designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.
The situation has placed renewed pressure on the United States and European allies to provide additional air defense support. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly asked for more systems capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic threats.
The possible use of the Oreshnik missile would mark another escalation in Russia’s air campaign and could increase calls for a stronger international response.
For now, Ukrainian authorities are monitoring Russian movements and warning civilians to remain alert as the threat of a new major strike grows.
Ukraine warned that Russia may be preparing a significant air attack involving hypersonic missiles.
Ukraine bracing for ‘significant air attack’ from Russian hypersonic missiles https://t.co/PQUsQ1BK4U pic.twitter.com/JOt7wdXVSe
— New York Post (@nypost) May 23, 2026
