Kyiv was hit again overnight as Russia carried out a large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital and nearby areas, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said the assault included the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, the third time Moscow has used the weapon since the war began.
The combined strike involved hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Ukrainian authorities said at least two people were killed, and damage was reported to residential buildings, schools and areas near government facilities in Kyiv.
Zelensky said the Oreshnik missile, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. The specific target was not made clear.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the missile was used and said the attacks targeted Ukrainian military installations, command centres and arms industry infrastructure. Moscow said the offensive was in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.
The Ukrainian army said Russia launched 600 drones and 90 air, sea and land-based missiles. It said air defences intercepted or disabled 549 drones and 55 missiles. Air raid sirens sounded through the night in Kyiv, and authorities reported damage at 40 locations across the capital.
The Oreshnik missile was first used in November 2024 against Dnipro, and later in an attack on the Lviv region. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the weapon flies at ten times the speed of sound and is immune to missile defence systems. For more Ukraine coverage, see our news page.