Sybiha’s statements are considered the first official acknowledgement of Russia’s use of this prohibited missile in the Ukrainian conflict, or in any other conflict zone.
A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Russia has launched this type of missile 23 times since last August. Ukraine also recorded two similar launches in 2022.
It is worth noting that the United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty after accusing Moscow of violating it by developing the 9M729 missile, which has the ability to fly for a distance of more than 500 kilometers. In return, Russia denied these American accusations at the time.
According to the “Missile Threat” website of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, the missile has a range of about 2,500 kilometers and can be equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads.
According to a military source, one of the missiles launched by Russia on October 5 traveled 1,200 kilometers before exploding over Ukrainian territory.
Sybiha explained in written statements: “Russia’s use of the 9M729 missile, which is prohibited under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, against Ukraine in recent months indicates that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not respect the United States and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end the war.”
The Ukrainian minister added that his country supports Trump’s peace proposals, stressing the need to exert maximum pressure on Russia to force it to end the war. He stressed that strengthening Ukraine’s long-range offensive capabilities will contribute to achieving this goal.
Ukraine has requested that the United States provide it with long-range Tomahawk missiles that are launched from the sea, stressing that owning them will enhance its defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, Moscow considered this step a “dangerous escalation.”
Western military analysts believe that Russia’s use of the 9M729 missile indicates the expansion of its offensive arsenal and a display of its long-range power, at a time when Trump is seeking to reach a peaceful settlement of the crisis.
This development comes in the wake of Moscow’s announcement last week of the testing of a Burevestnik nuclear cruise missile, in addition to a Poseidon nuclear torpedo, which – according to observers – reflects a renewed arms race between the major powers.
