In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has executed a large-scale missile and drone bombardment targeting Kyiv and its surrounding areas, utilizing its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for the war’s third time. According to Ukrainian officials, this assault resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left approximately 100 others injured.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighted that the attack was directed at Kyiv and the nearby city of Bila Tserkva. The assault inflicted damage on residential buildings, educational institutions, a water facility, government offices, and a large marketplace, with fires erupting across multiple districts.
Reports from Ukraine revealed that the overnight offensive involved nearly 600 drones and 90 missiles, including numerous ballistic missiles. Despite intercepting many of these, several managed to hit central areas of Kyiv, leading to significant destruction. Russia acknowledged the deployment of the Oreshnik missile alongside other sophisticated missile systems, claiming the strikes aimed at Ukrainian military infrastructure in retaliation for alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian-controlled territories.
Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, reported damage in every district of the capital, with emergency services working to rescue individuals trapped in shelters and extinguish fires from the explosions. Additionally, the attack harmed Ukraine’s National Art Museum and parts of the foreign ministry building, with Ukrainian authorities labeling these strikes as intentional assaults on civilian infrastructure and cultural landmarks.
The international community responded with strong condemnation. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the use of the Oreshnik missile as a perilous escalation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz termed it reckless. European Union officials accused Russia of employing terror tactics against civilians. The Oreshnik missile, introduced by Russia in late 2024, is known for its capability to carry both nuclear and conventional warheads and for traveling at hypersonic speeds—claims of its near-impenetrability have been met with skepticism by western analysts. This latest attack followed shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued warnings of retaliation in response to purported Ukrainian drone strikes in areas under Russian control.