Overview
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha issued the first official confirmation that Russia has used the ground‑launched 9M729 in recent strikes on Ukraine.
- A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters Russia has launched the missile about 23 times since Aug. 21, with two additional launches recorded in 2022.
- Debris from an Oct. 5 strike in Lviv region carried 9M729 markings, and a military source said that missile flew roughly 1,200 km, with imagery reviewed by independent analysts including Jeffrey Lewis.
- The 9M729 was a key factor in the U.S. decision to quit the INF Treaty in 2019 and is assessed by Western sources as dual‑capable with potential range up to about 2,500 km.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm use and referred questions to the Defence Ministry, as Kyiv presses for long‑range Western missiles such as Tomahawks and analysts warn of expanded risks for Europe.