In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has unleashed a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv and surrounding regions, employing its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for the third time in the Ukraine war. The assault resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left approximately 100 others injured, as reported by Ukrainian authorities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine indicated that the strike targeted the capital city of Kyiv and Bila Tserkva, a nearby city. The offensive caused extensive damage to several structures, including residential buildings, educational institutions, a water facility, government offices, and a large market. Fires ignited in multiple districts as a consequence of the attack.
According to Ukrainian sources, the overnight assault involved nearly 600 drones and 90 missiles, among which were dozens of ballistic missiles. Although a significant number were intercepted, several managed to hit central areas of Kyiv, leading to widespread devastation. In confirmation, Russia acknowledged using the Oreshnik missile and other advanced systems, stating that the strikes were aimed at Ukrainian military sites and were a retaliatory measure for alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian-controlled territory.
Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that all districts of the capital experienced damage. Emergency services were actively engaged in rescuing individuals trapped within shelters and extinguishing fires that erupted due to the explosions. The attacks also caused damage to Ukraine’s National Art Museum and sections of the foreign ministry building, which Ukrainian officials condemned as deliberate strikes on civilian and cultural infrastructure.
The international community, particularly European leaders, expressed strong disapproval of the assault. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the deployment of the Oreshnik missile as a dangerous escalation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled it reckless. The European Union accused Russia of employing terror tactics against civilians. The Oreshnik missile, introduced by Russia in late 2024, is known to carry either nuclear or conventional warheads and travels at hypersonic speeds. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted the missile’s near-impossibility of interception, some Western analysts remain skeptical. This latest attack followed closely on the heels of Putin’s warning of retaliation for purported Ukrainian drone strikes in Russian-occupied areas.