Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Strike on Kyiv Amid Oreshnik Threat

Kyiv came under a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack early Sunday after Ukraine’s air force warned that Russia could launch a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile. Powerful explosions shook Ukraine’s capital shortly after 1 a.m. local time, raising fears of another escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least three people were injured during the overnight assault, while multiple residential buildings across the city suffered damage. Emergency crews were also deployed after debris ignited a fire on the grounds of a school located in central Kyiv.

The Ukrainian air force issued an urgent warning on Telegram before the attack, citing a potential threat from the Russian Oreshnik missile system. However, officials have not confirmed whether the hypersonic missile was actually used in the strike.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had warned on Saturday that Russia was preparing a new attack involving the Oreshnik missile, referencing intelligence gathered by Ukraine, the United States, and European allies. The Oreshnik missile has become a growing concern due to claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the weapon is nearly impossible to intercept because it travels at speeds exceeding 10 times the speed of sound.

Russia has reportedly used the Oreshnik missile twice before during the conflict. The latest escalation follows Putin’s order for military retaliation after a Ukrainian drone strike targeted a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military stated that it had successfully targeted a Russian drone command unit as part of its ongoing defense operations.

The renewed missile and drone attacks on Kyiv highlight increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine as both sides intensify military operations, raising international concerns over further escalation in the region.