Russia fires unstoppable Oreshnik missile at Kyiv despite Ukrainian advance warning

Russia launched an Oreshnik missile at Kyiv on May 25, 2026, after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy publicly warned of detected launch preparations and the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert—yet no air defense system intercepted it. The strike occurred despite Ukraine's advance intelligence and represents a significant escalation in Russia's use of reportedly hypersonic or advanced weaponry that current Ukrainian and Western air defenses cannot neutralize. The missile's successful deployment raises urgent questions about the adequacy of air defense systems the U.S. and allies have provided to Ukraine. DW News consulted former U.S. Ambassador William Courtney on the weapon's implications for the war's trajectory.