The United States accused Russia of a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" after Moscow launched a nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile near Poland and conducted a large overnight assault with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. The incident prompted an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting where U.S. Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce condemned strikes on critical infrastructure. Russia said it will continue military pressure until Ukraine accepts its terms, while Ukraine pushed back, saying Russia is economically vulnerable.
U.S. Condemns ‘Dangerous, Inexplicable’ Russian Escalation After Oreshnik Missile Launch as Trump Pushes Peace Talks
A residential building burns after a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mykola Myrnyi)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The United States on Monday accused Russia of a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" in its nearly four-year war in Ukraine, highlighting Moscow's recent launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile near the border with NATO member Poland. The allegation came at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting called after a large overnight Russian assault involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.
U.N. Session and Accusations
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce condemned the attacks and warned that Moscow's actions risk broadening and intensifying the conflict. She said the United States deplores "the staggering number of casualties" and strongly criticized Russia's intensified strikes on energy and other critical infrastructure.
"At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trump's unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate," Bruce said. "Yet Russia's action risks expanding and intensifying the war."
The Attack and Regional Fallout
Ukraine requested the emergency meeting after last Thursday's bombardment, which Kyiv and its NATO partners viewed as a stark warning. The assault included the hypersonic Oreshnik missile — reportedly used by Moscow for only the second time — alongside hundreds of drones and numerous ballistic and cruise missiles.
A residential building is seen damaged after a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The strike coincided with reports that Ukraine and its allies had made progress toward arranging defenses in the event of a U.S.-brokered peace deal. The attack also came amid a fresh chill in Moscow-Washington relations following Russia's condemnation of a U.S. seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
Positions From Moscow and Kyiv
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia placed responsibility for the stalemate on Kyiv, warning that those he described as "vile attacks on Russian civilians" would be met with a "stiff response" and saying Moscow will continue to pursue military means until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepts what Russia calls "realistic conditions" for talks.
Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Andriy Melnyk pushed back, arguing that Russia is more vulnerable now than since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Melnyk noted economic headwinds in Moscow, including slowing growth and declining oil revenues, and called Russia's image of strength "smoke and mirrors."
Outlook
European leaders condemned the Oreshnik launch as "escalatory and unacceptable." At the same time, the Trump administration signaled it supports a tough sanctions package aimed at pressuring Russia economically even as it attempts to advance negotiations toward a peace agreement. The diplomatic and military developments leave the path to negotiation uncertain while the humanitarian and strategic stakes grow.
Help us improve.
