In a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and its surrounding areas, deploying the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for the third time since the onset of the Ukraine war. This assault resulted in the tragic loss of at least four lives and left around 100 individuals injured, as reported by Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identified the assault as targeting not only the capital city of Kyiv but also Bila Tserkva in the surrounding region. The onslaught caused extensive damage to residential buildings, schools, a water facility, government offices, and a major market, with fires erupting across several districts. Despite Ukraine’s efforts to intercept the attack, which included nearly 600 drones and 90 missiles, several ballistic missiles breached defenses and struck central Kyiv, leading to widespread destruction.
Russia confirmed the deployment of the Oreshnik missile in addition to other advanced systems, asserting that the strikes aimed at Ukrainian military infrastructure were in retaliation for alleged Ukrainian attacks within Russian-controlled territories. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage in every district of the capital, with emergency crews engaged in rescuing those trapped in shelters and extinguishing fires resulting from the explosions.
The attacks also extended to Ukraine’s cultural sites, damaging the National Art Museum and parts of the foreign ministry building. Ukrainian officials condemned these actions as deliberate assaults on civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage. The international community responded with strong denunciations; French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the use of the Oreshnik missile a perilous escalation, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized it as reckless. European Union officials accused Russia of employing terror tactics against civilian populations.
First introduced by Russia in late 2024, the Oreshnik missile is known for its capability to carry either nuclear or conventional warheads and is reported to reach hypersonic speeds. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted the missile’s near-impenetrability, western analysts have expressed skepticism about some of these claims. This recent attack follows closely on the heels of Putin’s warnings of retaliation in response to alleged Ukrainian drone strikes in Russian-controlled areas.