Russia may have launched two Oreshnik missiles on May 24 – ISW

During Russia's massive overnight attack on May 24, Russian forces likely launched not one but two Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) against Ukraine, although one of them apparently crashed in Russian-occupied territory in the Donetsk region due to a technical malfunction.

That is according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrinform reports.

ISW based its assessment on previously published reports and analyses by Ukrainian OSINT researchers, who closely examined video footage showing the aftermath of the missile attack that night.

The footage appears to show six submunitions striking the ground, and one of the Ukrainian OSINT sources reported that the Oreshnik may have struck Russian military positions near occupied Avdiivka or Yasynuvata (both roughly 40 kilometers from the frontline).

If confirmed, these reports would indicate that one of every four Oreshniks that Russian forces have used thus far in the war have malfunctioned.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's news agency ArmyInform estimated that Russia's May 23 to 24 that strike package against Ukraine cost about $361 million dollars, including $50 million for one Oreshnik IRBM.

Read also: Macron: Russia's use of Oreshnik missile shows dead end of its aggressive war

Russian forces' use of a second Oreshnik missile would increase the cost of the May 23 to 24 strike package to about $411 million.

Ukrainian air defense forces neutralized 55 missiles and 549 Russian drones launched during Russia's attack on Ukraine on the night of May 23 to 24, with Kyiv as the primary target. Authorities recorded impacts from 16 missiles and 51 strike drones across 54 locations.