At least two people were killed and dozens wounded in a massive attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as Russia launched a large-scale assault using powerful hypersonic missiles. The attack, which involved both drone and missile strikes, was one of the largest since the war began in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile, which has nuclear capabilities.
The intense aerial assault damaged buildings across the city, including near government offices, residential buildings, a market, and schools. Rescue workers rushed to evacuate people from a partially destroyed residential building that was set ablaze during the barrage. At least 83 people were wounded in the attack, which was widely condemned by Ukraine’s European allies.
Russia’s Hypersonic Missile Attack
The Oreshnik missile, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. The target of the attack was not immediately clear, but Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it was retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on “civilian facilities on Russian territory.” The ministry said the attack targeted Ukrainian “military command and control facilities,” air bases, and military industrial enterprises.
The attack was part of a larger barrage that included 600 strike drones and 90 air, sea, and ground-launched missiles. Ukrainian air defenses destroyed and jammed 549 drones and 55 missiles, while 19 missiles failed to reach their targets. The use of the Oreshnik missile was first reported by Zelenskyy, who cited intelligence from the US and Western partners.
Russia has used the Oreshnik missile twice before, first in November 2024 on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and again in January in the western Lviv region. The missile is capable of destroying underground bunkers and is immune to any missile defense system, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
International Reaction
The attack was widely condemned by Ukraine’s European allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German politician Friedrich Merz. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the attack as an “abhorrent act of terror” meant to kill as many civilians as possible. Top diplomats from EU states are set to meet in the coming days to discuss how to increase international pressure on Russia.
The attack is a significant escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2022. The use of hypersonic missiles and the targeting of civilian areas have raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of the war and the potential for further escalation.
