A fresh blame game has emerged in the Ukraine conflict after Russia launched hypersonic missiles at key sites, with Kyiv alleging damage to the Qatari embassy in Kyiv. The Kremlin has outright rejected the narrative, defending its operations as surgically precise and respectful of diplomatic immunity.
Unveiled details show the rare Oreshnik missile streaking towards western Ukrainian targets hugging Poland’s border on Thursday night. Ukrainian FM Andriy Sybiha mourned the embassy hit as an egregious Vienna Convention breach, rallying Gulf support against what he termed limitless Russian savagery.
Russia’s retort was unequivocal: no diplomatic sites were in crosshairs, and any mishaps stem from flawed Ukrainian interceptors. Lacking nearby military value, the embassy’s vicinity was incidental. Affirming Doha as a valued friend, Moscow decried the claims as Kyiv-orchestrated fictions.
The broad assault incorporated mobile medium-range Oreshnik platforms alongside extended-range naval and terrestrial armaments, per Defense Ministry logs. Specificity on impacts was withheld.
Echoing prior frictions, Russia tied this salvo to Ukraine’s alleged prior strike on Putin’s residence, fervently denied by Kyiv. Such cycles of reprisal define the war’s grim rhythm.
Observers see strategic posturing in the embassy row, with Ukraine seeking to internationalize grievances and Russia safeguarding its ‘clean strike’ image. Qatar’s reaction may influence mediation dynamics, as hypersonic escalations signal deepening militarization.