Russia Launches Hypersonic Missile in Massive Attack on Kyiv

On Sunday, Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, using the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile. The assault resulted in the deaths of at least two people, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This marks the third deployment of the Oreshnik in the ongoing conflict.

The intense assault damaged buildings across Kyiv, including areas near government offices, residential structures, schools, and a marketplace. The attack left at least 83 people injured. Air raid alarms sounded throughout the city as smoke from the attacks filled the air. Reporters from the Associated Press heard loud blasts near the city center and close to government buildings.

Ukraine’s Air Force stated that the attack involved 600 drones and 90 missiles launched from different platforms. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted and disabled 549 drones and 55 missiles, while 19 missiles did not reach their targets. Albania’s foreign minister, Ferit Hoxha, noted that the residence of the Albanian ambassador in Ukraine was struck, condemning the incident as a severe escalation.

The Oreshnik missile, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, hit Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, as reported by Zelenskyy on Telegram. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the use of the Oreshnik as well as other missile types to target Ukrainian military command facilities, air bases, and industrial sites. The Ministry described the attack as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian sites without providing detailed information.

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned a drone strike in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine on Friday, alleging Kyiv’s involvement. He ordered military retaliation, claiming no military presence near the attacked college dormitory. The death toll from the strike had reached 21, with 42 wounded, according to Russian authorities. Two days of mourning were declared in the Luhansk region.

During an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Melnyk rejected Russian accusations of war crimes as propaganda. Kyiv’s European allies, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, condemned the strikes. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced a meeting of EU diplomats to discuss increasing pressure on Russia.

Zelenskyy noted that not all ballistic missiles were intercepted, especially impacting Kyiv, the main target. Ukraine’s shortage of air defense missiles capable of intercepting these weapons remains evident. Kyiv relies heavily on U.S. Patriot systems, but interceptor availability remains limited, underscoring Ukraine’s urgent need for defense support. Developing a domestic alternative is a priority for Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.

The attacks resulted in fires across Kyiv, with damage reported in 50 locations, including residential and police department buildings, as well as schools and shopping centers, complicating rescue efforts. Svitlana Onofryichuk, a resident affected by the attack, voiced her distress over the devastation of her longtime workplace. Another resident, Yevhen Zosin, described the chaotic moments as explosions hit his area.

Additionally, the Ukrainian drone strike resulted in a civilian death in Grayvoron, a Russian town near the Ukrainian border. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its forces neutralized 33 Ukrainian drones overnight, including in regions near Moscow, Crimea, and parts of western and southwestern Russia.