Russia Appears to Use Nuclear-Capable Missile in Ukraine

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Andrew E. KramerJanuary 9, 2026 at 04:52 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

On January 8, 2026, Ukraine's Air Force reported a potential intermediate-range ballistic missile launch from Russia's Kapustin Yar strategic nuclear testing site near the Caspian Sea. Explosions occurred near Lviv shortly after, but it is unconfirmed if the missile was responsible. If confirmed, this would be the second time in the war a missile was fired from the testing site, the first being in 2024 with an Oreshnik missile strike on Dnipro. The recent threat occurred amidst tensions over peace talks and the ousting of a Russian ally in Venezuela. The mayor of Lviv reported infrastructure damage from the explosions, but details remain unspecified. Russia previously cited retaliation for Ukraine's use of Western weapons on Russian territory as justification for using such missiles.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Venezuela 30% Caspian Sea 40% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 40% Britain 50% Oreshnik ×250% Kapustin Yar 50% United States 60% Vladimir V. Putin (Putin) ×270% Lviv ×370% Ukrainian Air Force ×370% Ukraine ×1090% Russia ×790%

Keywords

ukraine 100% nuclear-capable missile 90% russia 90% ballistic missile 70% intermediate-range missile 60% strategic nuclear forces 60% lviv 60% testing site 50% escalation 50% oreshnik missile 40%