Russian forces launched a massive combined assault on Kyiv overnight, deploying an Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile alongside 600 strike drones and 90 additional missiles in what Ukrainian officials described as one of the heaviest bombardments of the capital since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
At least four people were killed and more than 80 others injured in the attacks, which struck residential areas and civilian infrastructure across the Kyiv region. Among the damaged sites was the National Art Museum and the Kyiv Opera Theater, according to local authorities.
The Oreshnik missile — capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds with limited interception capability — was used for the third time since Russia first deployed the system against Dnipro in November 2024. The latest strike came as Moscow vowed retaliation following a Ukrainian drone attack on a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region, which Kyiv denied responsibility for.
World leaders swiftly condemned the assault. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled Russia’s use of the Oreshnik system and bombardment of the Kyiv region as “a reckless escalation.” British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “Moscow’s escalating assault on Ukrainian civilians betrays its weakness.” French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas also issued statements criticizing the attack.
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk competed at the French Open hours after a missile struck meters from her family home in Kyiv. Speaking to reporters after her match, Kostyuk said she felt sick at the thought that the strike came within 100 meters of where her mother and sister were sheltering.
Ukraine’s SBU security service announced that its drones struck an oil pumping station in Russia’s Vladimir region overnight, targeting a facility that supplies fuel to major airports serving Moscow and surrounding areas. A fire spanning 800 square meters was reported at the site.
The attacks lasted several hours, with air raid sirens sounding across the capital and surrounding regions as air defense systems engaged incoming ordnance.
Written by Nathan Brooks, Economy Correspondent
Nathan Brooks
Nathan Brooks is an economy correspondent covering US markets and fiscal policy.