Russia launches hypersonic missile strike on Ukraine's Odesa... second launch since the war began

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian military launched hypersonic missiles for the second time since the outbreak of the war, bombing a hotel and shopping mall in Odesa, Ukraine. This move is interpreted as an effort to demonstrate military power to Ukraine and Western countries and to strengthen offensives centered around the Odesa region.

According to CNN on the 9th (local time), Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Operational Headquarters of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, stated in a press release, "Three 'Kinzhal' hypersonic missiles, a new type of Russian missile, were launched from fighter jets, striking tourist infrastructure facilities," adding, "Two people were hospitalized due to this missile attack."

The Ukrainian government did not specify which buildings were damaged. CNN reported that after analyzing videos circulated on social media, it was confirmed that a hotel in the Zatoka area, about 30 km from Odesa, suffered significant damage from the Russian airstrike.

The video was reportedly first posted by the Odesa City Council. The reason why the hotel was targeted is still unknown. According to the Southern Operational Command of Ukraine, several shopping malls in Odesa were also heavily damaged as seven missiles fired by the Russian military hit them. The airstrike resulted in five injuries and one death.

This is the second time the Russian military has used hypersonic missiles in actual combat, following their use in an airstrike on a Ukrainian military warehouse in March. As the situation in Donbas remains stagnant despite concentrated offensives, the Russian military is exerting pressure on Ukraine and the West by showcasing asymmetric capabilities such as hypersonic missiles.

Earlier on the same day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told the state-run Interfax news agency in an interview, "Development of next-generation hypersonic missiles that can be launched from land, air, and sea is underway," adding, "These will surpass existing or future hypersonic missiles of major countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.