Russia has deployed its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in a large-scale assault on Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday. In a Telegram post, he confirmed that the missile struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. The Oreshnik is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
Russia Confirms Retaliation
Russia's defence ministry later confirmed the use of the Oreshnik, along with other missile types, to target Ukrainian 'military command and control facilities', air bases, and military industrial enterprises. The ministry stated the attack was in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on 'civilian facilities on Russian territory'. This marks the third time the missile has been used in Ukraine.
Casualties and Damage
At least two people were killed and 56 injured as air raid sirens blared through the night into Sunday. Smoke billowed across the city from the strikes. The combined attack included 600 strike drones and 90 air, sea, and ground-launched missiles, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Ukrainian air defences destroyed and jammed 549 drones and 55 missiles, while around 19 missiles failed to reach targets.
Damage was recorded in 40 locations across several districts of the city, including residential buildings, according to Kyiv military administration head Tymur Tkachenko. In the Shevchenko district, a five-storey residential building was hit, causing a fire and killing one person. A school building was also damaged while people sheltered inside, said Mayor Vitalii Klitschko. Local authorities reported supermarkets and warehouses across the city were damaged.
Residents Describe Horror
Kyiv resident Svitlana Onofryichuk, 55, described the night as 'terrible' and unlike anything in the entire war. 'I am very sorry that I have to say goodbye to Kyiv now, I am not staying there anymore, there is no possibility. My job is gone, everything is gone, everything has burned down,' she said.
Yevhen Zosin, 74, who witnessed the attack, recalled rushing to save his dog after hearing an explosion. 'Then there was another explosion, and she and I were thrown back like a pin by the shock wave. We both survived, she and I. My apartment was blown to pieces,' he said.
Background on Oreshnik Missile
Russia first used the multiple-warhead Oreshnik on Dnipro in November 2024, and again in January in the Lviv region. President Vladimir Putin has described the weapon as traveling 'like a meteorite' and immune to any missile defence system. He claimed several such missiles, even with conventional warheads, could be as devastating as a nuclear strike.
Zelensky had earlier warned that Russia was planning to use the Oreshnik, citing intelligence from the US and Western partners.
