**Ukraine Denies Reports of Failed Russian Missile Launch**
The Ukrainian government has denied reports that Russia launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, at Ukraine. The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security in Ukraine made this statement on February 7.
According to Forbes, a Ukrainian soldier and blogger named Kyrylo Sazonov claimed that Russia launched an Oreshnik missile on February 6 targeting the capital city of Kyiv. However, Sazonov stated that the missile did not fly far and exploded in Russia.
The Ukrainian government says this report is based on assumptions and not actual data. Neither Ukraine nor Russia has officially reported the launch of the Oreshnik missile.
**Tensions Between Ukraine and Russia Remain High**
Russia launched a similar missile against Ukraine last November, after Ukraine used US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike targets in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans for mass production of the Oreshnik, but it’s believed that Russia only has a small number of these experimental missiles.
Ukrainian officials say they do not yet have air defense systems capable of repelling the Oreshnik missile. The incident follows reports of conscripts being beaten at military enlistment offices in Ukraine.
**Other News**
* In other news, Ukrainian officials are preparing for an upcoming meeting at Ramstein and expect important decisions to be made.
* Russia launched 112 combat drones overnight, according to the Air Force.
* Bulgaria has provided Ukraine with Soviet-era military equipment, funded by NATO and EU allies.
* The US Justice Department is shutting down a program that sanctioned Kremlin-linked oligarchs.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com