Russia Claims Oreshnik Strike Destroyed an Aircraft Repair Site

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  The Russian Defense Ministry said an Oreshnik hypersonic missile strike hit a military site in western Ukraine.  “On the night of January 9th, the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant was put out of action by the Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Monday. It added that an airfield and a drone warehouse were also destroyed. Kiev claimed the hypersonic missile hit a civilian target.  The Oreshnik is one of Russia’s most advanced missiles. Friday’s attack is the second public use of an Oreshnik, and was a response to a Ukrainian drone attack on one of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s residences in the Novgorod Region.  While President Donald Trump is attempting to negotiate an end to the conflict, the war is continuing to escalate. Ukraine has launched several long-range drone attacks on Russian military and oil infrastructure. Moscow has attacked Ukrainian military and energy sites. Additionally, Russian forces are making small gains along multiple areas of the front lines.  Trump has expressed frustration with Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky for refusing to agree to an end to the conflict. The two sides remain far apart over several key issues, including war crimes tribunals, Ukrainian neutrality, and territory.  On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine was using provocation, such as the attack on Putin’s home, to delay negotiations.