In a escalating twist to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow has firmly rejected Ukraine’s claims that a recent Russian missile strike damaged the Qatari embassy in Kyiv. The denial comes just days after Russia unleashed a barrage of high-precision weapons, including a rare hypersonic Oreshnik missile, targeting military sites near the Polish border.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha accused Russia of violating international norms by hitting the diplomatic mission, labeling it a blatant breach of the Vienna Convention. He condemned the attack as an act of unbounded cruelty and urged Gulf nations, particularly Qatar, to respond diplomatically.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry swiftly countered, stating that its forces have never targeted diplomatic installations. They attributed any potential damage to malfunctions in Ukraine’s air defense systems, emphasizing that no military objectives were near the Qatari premises. ‘Russia views Qatar as a friendly partner and strategic ally,’ the statement read, dismissing Ukrainian media reports as fabricated propaganda.
The strike on January 9 marked the first use of the advanced Oreshnik missile in over a year, launched from western Ukraine close to NATO member Poland. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed a massive assault using ground-based mobile medium-range systems and long-range sea and land weapons, but refrained from specifying exact targets.
This development unfolds against a backdrop of mutual accusations. Russia recently claimed Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Vladimir Putin at his residence, a charge Kyiv denied. Moscow framed the latest operation as retaliation for that alleged plot last month.
As tensions simmer, the incident highlights the fragile line between military operations and diplomatic sanctity in the protracted war. International observers are watching closely for Qatar’s response, given its role as a mediator in regional conflicts. The denial underscores Russia’s narrative of precision strikes avoiding civilian and diplomatic sites, while Ukraine pushes for global condemnation.
