Kyiv was hit again overnight in a major Russian attack, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying Moscow used its Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile for the third time since the war began.
The assault included hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, and Ukrainian authorities said at least two people were killed. Damage was reported at homes, schools and areas near government offices in the capital. Zelensky said the Oreshnik missile struck Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, although the intended target was not clear.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the missile was used. It said the strikes targeted Ukrainian military installations, command centres and arms industry infrastructure, and described the attack as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
The Ukrainian army said Russia launched 600 drones and 90 air, sea and land-based missiles. Air defences said they intercepted or neutralised 549 drones and 55 missiles. The Oreshnik missile was first used in November 2024 against Dnipro, and later in an attack on the Lviv region. Vladimir Putin has said the weapon flies at ten times the speed of sound and is immune to missile defence systems.
Air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv through the night, and Ukrainian authorities said damage was recorded at 40 locations across the capital. After more than four years of war, some residents are now considering leaving the city permanently. For more coverage of the war and its impact, see our news page.
Albania also lodged a formal protest after one of the projectiles hit the residence of its ambassador. Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said on social media that the impact endangered the diplomat’s life, and said attacks on civilian areas and diplomatic personnel were a serious escalation.