Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine using hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, resulting in the death of at least four individuals in the capital city. This assault marked the second instance in the nearly four-year-long conflict where Russia deployed a new hypersonic missile that hit western Ukraine, serving as a direct warning to Kyiv’s NATO partners.
The strike, including the deployment of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile, followed recent advancements in negotiations between Ukraine and its allies regarding the defense strategies against potential future aggression from Moscow in the event of a peace agreement. European leaders strongly criticized the attack as “escalatory and unacceptable,” with the European Union’s top diplomat condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s preference for militaristic responses over diplomatic efforts.
The assault coincided with escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington following Russia’s backlash against the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. The U.S. President, Donald Trump, signaled support for stringent economic sanctions aimed at crippling Moscow economically, as Russia remained steadfast in its demands related to Ukraine.
Reports from Ukrainian officials confirmed the deaths of four individuals and injuries to at least 25 others in Kyiv due to the missile strikes on residential buildings. Among the casualties was an emergency medical worker, and several doctors and a police officer sustained injuries while responding to the attacks. The assault also disrupted essential services, leaving around half of Kyiv’s apartment buildings without heat and water.
In response to the attack, portable boiler units were deployed to restore power and heat to public facilities, including hospitals and maternity wards. The Qatari Embassy in Kyiv was also damaged during the assault, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighting Qatar’s role in facilitating prisoner exchanges.
The aftermath of the attack revealed debris from the Oreshnik missile in Ukraine’s Lviv region, where it targeted civilian infrastructure. The missile, fired from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test range, was described as a retaliatory measure against an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on one of Putin’s residences. The Oreshnik missile, boasting destructive capabilities likened to a nuclear attack by Putin, has raised concerns about its psychological impact on Ukrainians and Western supporters of Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials vowed to pursue international action in response to the missile attack, seeking urgent meetings of the UN Security Council and the Ukraine-NATO Council. The gravity of the situation prompted calls for robust responses to Russia’s aggressive actions, emphasizing the threat posed to European security and the transatlantic community.
The leaders of major European countries condemned the attack as provocative and unacceptable, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas characterizing the Oreshnik launch as a warning to Europe and the U.S. Canada also denounced the missile launch as a dangerous escalation targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and innocent civilians, urging Russia to cease its hostilities immediately.
In the aftermath of the assault, residents in affected areas like Kyiv and Lviv expressed resilience and a desire for peace despite the ongoing conflict. The attacks underscored the urgent need for international solidarity and decisive actions to address the escalating crisis in Ukraine.