Russia Deploys New Hypersonic Missile in Massive Ukraine Attack, Flies at 10 Times Speed of Sound
Friday, January 9th, 2026. Russia bombarded Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Among them: a powerful new hypersonic ballistic missile that hit western Ukraine.
This is only the second time Russia has deployed this weapon system. And according to Moscow, it cannot be stopped.
What Is Mach 10?
The missile flies at approximately 10 times the speed of sound – Mach 10. At that velocity, defensive systems have virtually no time to react. The weapon travels so fast that by the time radar detects it, its already close to impact.
Russia claims the missile is unstoppable by current air defense systems. Western military analysts are not disputing this claim. The physics are simply against the defenders – hypersonic weapons operate in a different realm than traditional ballistic or cruise missiles.
NPR has technical analysis of what hypersonic weapons mean for the battlefield. The short version: everything we thought we knew about missile defense may need revision.
The Broader Attack
The hypersonic strike came amid a massive bombardment. Hundreds of drones. Dozens of conventional missiles. A heavy snowstorm in Kyiv during the attacks complicated Ukrainian defensive efforts. A residential building was damaged in the capital.
The day before – Thursday, January 8th – Russia launched another massive attack. This isnt a single escalation. This is sustained bombardment using every weapon system Russia possesses.
Context: Peace Talks and Provocations
These strikes came during ongoing US-brokered peace talks. Putin is showing off new toys while negotiators sit across tables discussing ceasefires. Its a negotiating tactic as old as warfare itself – demonstrate strength at the table by demonstrating capability on the battlefield.
We covered Trumps claims about peace being “closer than ever” after meeting with Zelenskyy. Hypersonic missiles are Russias response to that optimism.
Ukraine continues its own long-range strike campaign against Russian territory. The war has become a contest of escalation – each side demonstrating it can reach deeper into the others territory with more devastating weapons.
What This Means
Reuters damage reports are still coming in. The full assessment of what the hypersonic strike accomplished will take time. But the message is already clear: Russia possesses weapons that current defensive systems cannot intercept.
Western air defense systems – Patriot, NASAMS, IRIS-T – have performed admirably against conventional threats. Against Mach 10? Different story entirely.
The arms race has entered a new phase. And Ukraine is the testing ground.
Ray Caldwell has covered military technology and international conflicts for over two decades.
