Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Russia has used the 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile in recent attacks, marking the first official acknowledgment of its combat deployment Ukrainian News Novinite. This missile was central to the collapse of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which the U.S. exited in 2019 under President Donald Trump, citing violations by Russia Novinite Ukrinform.
INF Treaty Fallout
The INF Treaty banned ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The 9M729, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, has an estimated range of up to 2,500 km—well beyond the treaty’s limits Novinite Ukrinform. Washington accused Moscow of secretly developing and testing the missile, prompting Trump’s decision to withdraw from the treaty. Russia denied the allegations but later abandoned its self-imposed restrictions on such weapons UNITED24 Media CNBCTV18.
Strikes on Ukraine
According to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Russia has launched the 9M729 missile at Ukraine at least 23 times since August 2025, with two earlier strikes recorded in 2022 Novinite UNITED24 Media. One missile reportedly traveled over 1,200 km before hitting a residential area in Lapaivka, Lviv Oblast, killing five civilians Novinite. Debris from the strike included fragments clearly marked “9M729,” confirming its use UNITED24 Media.
Political and Strategic Implications
Sybiha condemned the missile’s use as a sign of President Vladimir Putin’s “disrespect” for U.S. diplomatic efforts and Trump’s peace initiatives Ukrainian News Ukrinform. Analysts suggest the deployment is part of a broader Russian strategy to pressure Europe and undermine Western support for Ukraine. The White House has declined to comment directly on the launches, though Trump has recently authorized renewed U.S. nuclear weapons testing Novinite.
Kyiv’s Response
Ukraine has called for increased Western support, including long-range weapons like Tomahawk missiles, which were not covered by the INF Treaty due to their sea-based launch platforms CNBCTV18. Officials argue that bolstering Ukraine’s strike capabilities is essential to counter Russia’s expanding missile arsenal and push Moscow toward peace negotiations.
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