The Ukrainian Air Force has issued a warning regarding the potential launch of a medium-range ballistic missile by Russian forces from the Kapustin Yar testing ground in the Astrakhan region of Russia. This alert follows previous instances where missiles from this site have targeted Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have urged citizens to heed air raid sirens as a precautionary measure. While specific details about the missile type were not disclosed, it is known that the Russian military has previously employed the “Oreshnik” missile from Kapustin Yar.
The last recorded use of the “Oreshnik” occurred during a large-scale attack on May 24, when a missile fell in the vicinity of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. Earlier in May, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the missile had also been used against occupied areas of Donetsk, although he did not specify the timing of those strikes. Additionally, the “Oreshnik” was reported to have been deployed in attacks on Ukraine in November 2024 and January 2026.
On June 4, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that strikes on Bila Tserkva and the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk were conducted to assess the missile’s effectiveness. He indicated that this evaluation would inform future decisions regarding the full-scale deployment of the missile with a warhead.
The “Oreshnik” is classified as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) and is reported to reach speeds exceeding 12,300 km/h. It is designed to carry six warheads, each containing submunitions. The U.S. Department of Defense has identified the “Oreshnik” as a modification of the RS-26 Rubezh intermediate-range missile. Russian authorities announced the commencement of serial production of the “Oreshnik” missiles in 2024.
The Ukrainian Air Force has alerted the public to the possibility of a Russian missile launch from Kapustin Yar, urging vigilance in light of past missile strikes. The 'Oreshnik' missile, previously used in attacks on Ukraine, has raised concerns regarding its potential deployment.