Moscow: Launching a widespread assault across Ukraine, Russia has once again deployed its highly potent 'Oreshnik' hypersonic ballis...
Moscow: Launching a widespread assault across Ukraine, Russia has once again deployed its highly potent 'Oreshnik' hypersonic ballistic missile. While the exact extent of the devastation caused by this ultra-potent missile is yet to emerge, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the 'Oreshnik' hypersonic ballistic missile had struck. Capable of traveling at ten times the speed of sound, the Oreshnik missile is specifically designed to destroy bunkers located three, four, or even more levels underground.
Russia first used the multi-warhead capable Oreshnik missile in November 2024 against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. According to an AP News report, it was deployed for a second time in January in the western Lviv region.
The intense bombardment of Kyiv followed Vladimir Putin's threats of retaliation for Ukrainian strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Kyiv witnessed one of the most severe Russian assaults in recent weeks last night.
Footage of the missile striking central Kyiv is circulating online. The videos show a blinding flash of light at the moment of impact, followed immediately by a massive explosion.
According to Ukrainian authorities, approximately 600 drones and 90 missiles were used in the attack. Although air defense systems managed to shoot down most of them, they could not intercept them all, AFP reports.
Euromaidan Press reported that a business center and a market near the Lukyanivska metro station were completely destroyed in the attack. Among the ruined properties was a small cafe that had been rebuilt and reopened six times following previous Russian attacks.
The attack claimed four lives and left dozens injured. Homes, schools, markets, and commercial buildings in the capital and other regions sustained heavy damage. Explosions could be heard across Kyiv throughout the night. As missiles and drones rained down on the city, residents sought refuge in metro stations and underground shelters.
Zelensky accused Russia of targeting civilians rather than military installations. He stated that Russia had carried out massive overnight attacks on Kyiv and several other regions across Ukraine (including Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Zhytomyr). Zelensky alleged that the strikes deliberately targeted civilians and public infrastructure, such as markets, schools, and water supply systems.
On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that it had used missile systems, including the Oreshnik, to target Ukraine's "military command and control facilities," airbases, and military-industrial enterprises, though they did not specify the exact locations of the strikes. Russia added that this was a "retaliation" for attacks carried out by Ukraine on Russian-controlled territories.
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