On Sunday, Russia subjected the region of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, to one of the most intense bombardments since the beginning of the war over four years ago by Moscow, using a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile called Orechnik, capable of carrying a nuclear payload. The Russian fire, which lasted several hours during the night, resulted in four deaths and over 80 injuries, emphasized by Ukrainian authorities, who also noted that dozens of residential buildings and several schools were damaged.
“It was a terrible night for Kiev,” said the mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko, in a message on Telegram sent from one of the attack sites. “At this moment, rescuers are extinguishing fires and clearing debris. Medical personnel are assisting the victims,” he stressed, mentioning that two people were killed in Kiev and 69 others were injured during the attacks on the capital.
Many residents sought refuge during the night in the city’s metro stations. Nataliia Zvarych, 62, described rushing to her local metro station when the explosions began shaking the city. “It was terrifying, scary,” she added. “We have been sitting here for over three hours now, listening to the explosions above.”
Two more people were killed and nine others injured in attacks in the Kiev region, declared regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk. Additionally, eleven people were injured in the city of Cherkasy, located in central Ukraine, after a drone crashed into a residential building, as stated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Ioulia Svyrydenko.
Condemnation from European Leaders
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine announced that Russia launched 600 drones and 90 missiles on the Kiev region, including Orechnik missiles designed to carry conventional or nuclear warheads. These missiles were touted by Russian President Vladimir Putin as being impossible to intercept due to their speed, which is said to be more than ten times faster than the speed of sound.
Zelensky had previously mentioned on Saturday that Russia was preparing a strike against Ukraine using a hypersonic ballistic missile, Orechnik. Russia accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting a school in the Luhansk region, occupied by Russia, leading President Putin to order preparations for retaliation. The Ukrainian military denied any responsibility for this attack, which resulted in 18 deaths, including many young girls.
“It is important that this does not go without consequences for Russia,” stated Volodymyr Zelensky on the messaging application Telegram. “Decisions need to be made – by the United States, Europe, and others.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas all condemned the Russian attack, particularly the use of Orechnik missiles. Macron stated, “France condemns this attack and the use of the Orechnik ballistic missile, which signals a desperate move and the dead-end of Russia’s aggression war. Our determination to continue supporting Ukraine is only strengthened.” Kallas assured that EU foreign ministers would discuss this week how to increase pressure on Moscow.
Before this Sunday, Russia had already attacked Ukraine twice using the Orechnik missile. The first attack targeted a military factory in Ukraine in November 2024. It was reported that the missile carried dummy warheads instead of explosives, resulting in limited damage. The second attack took place in January 2026, hitting the Lviv region in western Ukraine.
