Russia Uses Oreshnik Missile in Massive Kyiv Attack

Russia launched one of its biggest aerial assaults on Kyiv overnight, using hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile that Moscow has increasingly presented as one of its most powerful weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Oreshnik struck Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region during the attack. The exact target was not immediately clear, but the strike marked the third known use of the missile since the war began.

The overnight bombardment left several people dead and dozens injured across Kyiv and surrounding areas. Residential buildings, schools, warehouses and commercial structures were damaged as explosions echoed through the capital until sunrise.

Russia’s Defense Ministry later confirmed it had used the Oreshnik missile along with other missile systems in strikes targeting what it called Ukrainian military command centers, air bases and defense industry facilities.

Moscow claimed the assault was retaliation for recent Ukrainian attacks inside Russian-controlled territory.

Kyiv hit by waves of drones and missiles

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched around 600 strike drones and 90 missiles from air, sea and ground platforms during the attack.

Air defense systems intercepted many of them, but several strikes still reached targets across the capital region.

Kyiv city officials said damage was recorded in dozens of locations.

A residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district caught fire after being hit. Schools and markets were also affected. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones sparked fires in multiple neighborhoods.

Residents described a night of continuous explosions and shockwaves.

Some said it was among the heaviest attacks Kyiv had faced since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Russia revives Oreshnik threat

The Oreshnik missile was first used by Russia against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in late 2024. Another strike followed earlier this year in western Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly promoted the missile as a weapon capable of traveling at extreme speed and penetrating underground bunkers. Moscow says it can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.

Ahead of Sunday’s attack, Zelenskyy had already warned that intelligence from Ukraine and Western allies indicated Russia was preparing a large combined strike involving the Oreshnik system.

The warning came after a deadly attack in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, where Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting a college dormitory in Starobilsk. Russian authorities said more than 20 people were killed there.

Kyiv denied targeting civilians and said Ukrainian operations were aimed at Russian military infrastructure.

European leaders condemn escalation

European officials reacted sharply after Russia confirmed use of the hypersonic missile.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the attack reckless and accused Moscow of using nuclear intimidation tactics.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the strike as a dangerous escalation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin strongly condemned the attack.

The latest strikes come as fighting intensifies on multiple fronts and both Russia and Ukraine continue launching long-range attacks far from frontline positions.