A significant missile and drone assault orchestrated by Russia targeted Kyiv and its surrounding regions, marking the third deployment of the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian officials reported that the attack resulted in at least four fatalities and approximately 100 injuries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that the strikes hit Kyiv and the nearby city of Bila Tserkva, causing extensive damage to residential buildings, educational institutions, a water facility, government offices, and a large market, with fires erupting across several areas.
The Ukrainian government disclosed that nearly 600 drones and 90 missiles, including numerous ballistic missiles, were launched by Russia during the overnight offensive. Despite many being intercepted, several missiles impacted central Kyiv, leading to considerable destruction. Russia acknowledged the use of the Oreshnik missile alongside other advanced systems, claiming the attacks were aimed at Ukrainian military infrastructure in retaliation for alleged Ukrainian strikes within Russian-controlled territories.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that all districts of the capital suffered damage. Emergency services were engaged in rescuing individuals trapped in shelters and extinguishing fires triggered by the explosions. The attack also inflicted damage on Ukraine’s National Art Museum and sections of the foreign ministry building, which Ukrainian authorities condemned as deliberate assaults on civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage.
International reactions were swift, with European leaders expressing strong disapproval of the assault. French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the deployment of the Oreshnik missile as a dangerous escalation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled it reckless. Officials from the European Union accused Russia of employing terror tactics against civilians. The Oreshnik missile, introduced by Russia in late 2024, is reputed for its hypersonic speed and capability to carry either nuclear or conventional warheads, though Western analysts have questioned some of Russia’s claims regarding its interceptibility.
This latest offensive follows shortly after a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who promised retaliation for purported Ukrainian drone attacks in Russian-held areas. The developments highlight the ongoing tensions and the increasing sophistication of weaponry being used in the conflict.