In a significant escalation of the conflict, Russia unleashed a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and its surrounding areas, deploying its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for the third time in the ongoing war with Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that the assault resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left nearly 100 others injured.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the missile strike specifically targeted the capital city of Kyiv and Bila Tserkva, a city in the adjacent region. The attack inflicted damage on residential areas, educational institutions, a water facility, government buildings, and a prominent market, igniting fires in several districts. In total, Ukraine stated that around 600 drones and 90 missiles, including numerous ballistic missiles, were launched by Russia during the nighttime offensive. Although many were intercepted, some managed to hit central Kyiv, causing extensive destruction.
Russia acknowledged the use of the Oreshnik missile along with other sophisticated missile systems, asserting that the strikes were aimed at Ukrainian military infrastructure as a countermeasure to alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian-controlled territories. Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported damage across every district of the capital, with emergency teams working diligently to rescue individuals from shelters and put out fires triggered by the explosions.
Among the damaged sites were Ukraine’s National Art Museum and parts of the foreign ministry building. Ukrainian authorities labeled the strikes as intentional assaults on civilian infrastructure and cultural sites. The international community, particularly European leaders, was quick to denounce the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the use of the Oreshnik missile as a perilous escalation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the actions as reckless. Additionally, European Union representatives accused Russia of employing terror tactics against civilians.
First introduced by Russia in late 2024, the Oreshnik missile is known for its capability to carry either nuclear or conventional warheads and its reported ability to travel at hypersonic speed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed the missile is almost impossible to intercept, although such assertions have been met with skepticism from Western analysts. The recent attack occurred in the wake of Putin’s warnings of retaliation over purported Ukrainian drone strikes in territories under Russian control.