The United Nations Security Council is poised for an emergency meeting after Russia launched a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile at targets in western Ukraine, marking a significant and dangerous escalation in the nearly four-year-old conflict.
Escalation with a Hypersonic Weapon
This emergency diplomatic move comes after the Kremlin confirmed it had fired an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile on Friday, marking only the second time it has used this powerful new weapon since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The missile, which Russia claims is impossible to intercept, is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
The strike, which targeted the Lviv region, was part of a massive overnight barrage that included hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Ukrainian officials reported at least four people were killed in the capital, Kyiv, during the intense attacks.
Accusations of War Crimes and Retaliatory Strikes
In response, Ukraine has accused Moscow of reaching an "appalling new level of war crimes and crimes against humanity" through its terror campaign against civilians. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated the UN meeting would address Russia's flagrant breaches of the UN Charter.
Meanwhile, the conflict saw further escalation as a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russia's southern Volgograd region. Regional authorities reported no immediate casualties but warned nearby residents might need evacuation. Ukraine's strategy of targeting Russian energy infrastructure aims to cripple the oil export revenue funding Moscow's war effort.
Humanitarian Crisis and Infrastructure War
The consequences of the missile strikes are severe, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. A UN spokesman stated Friday's attacks "have resulted in significant civilian casualties and deprived millions of Ukrainians of essential services", including electricity, heating, and water during winter.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that while heat supply in Kyiv would be restored by the end of Saturday, significant damage to the power grid, particularly on the left bank of the Dnieper River, complicates full restoration. Russia's defence ministry said its forces specifically targeted Ukrainian energy facilities and fuel depots.
As the UN Security Council prepares to convene, the international community faces renewed pressure to respond to this dangerous new phase of warfare, where advanced weapons and attacks on critical civilian infrastructure have become central tactics.
