Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, using its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for the third time in the conflict. The assault killed at least four people and injured about 100, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The attack targeted a water supply facility, a market, residential buildings, and several schools in the city of Bila Tserkva and across Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv’s mayor, reported two deaths and 56 injuries in the capital, while the head of the Kyiv region confirmed two additional deaths and nine wounded.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed the use of the Oreshnik missile, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, alongside Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon missiles. The ministry claimed the strikes were retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian facilities on Russian territory.
Zelenskyy described the assault as a “heavy attack” involving 600 drones and 90 missiles, including 36 ballistic ones. He noted that not all were intercepted, with Kyiv suffering the most hits. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was damaged for the first time since World War II, and the National Art Museum also sustained damage, though its collection was spared.
Residents recounted the terror of the attack. Svitlana Onofryichuk, who worked at the destroyed market, said, “It was a terrible night… My job is gone, everything is gone.” Yevhen Zosin, 74, described being thrown by a shockwave while grabbing his dog, adding, “My apartment was blown to pieces.”
Ukrainian officials condemned the strikes as systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage. Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna stated, “Each such strike is an attempt to intimidate and destroy our identity.”
