Russia Bombards Ukraine with Drones and Missiles, Deploys Oreshnik

In a significant overnight operation on Friday, Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack resulted in at least four deaths and left 25 others injured in Kyiv.

Reportedly, the offensive included 13 ballistic missiles, 22 cruise missiles, 242 drones, as well as Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the damage inflicted on various locations in the capital, including the Qatari Embassy, which has been pivotal in mediating prisoner swaps between Ukraine and Russia.

The Russian defense ministry claimed the assault was in retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian strike targeting President Vladimir Putin’s residence, a claim that Ukraine has outright denied, with US President Donald Trump also refuting its validity.

Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, condemned the action, labeling it a grave threat to European security, denoting that the attack near the borders of the EU and NATO poses a challenge for the transatlantic alliance while dismissing Russia’s justifications as mere “hallucinations.”

This offensive came shortly after President Zelensky warned that Russia was gearing up for a significant offensive, intending to leverage the freezing temperatures in Kyiv which have rendered streets and roads particularly perilous.

The head diplomat of the European Union characterized Russia’s deployment of the Oreshnik missile as a “clear escalation” of the ongoing conflict.

Understanding the Oreshnik Missile

The Oreshnik is a cutting-edge hypersonic missile that can reach speeds of 13,000 km/h, nearly ten times faster than sound. Russian officials assert that it is nearly impossible to intercept and can inflict damage comparable to a nuclear weapon even with conventional warheads.

With a range of up to 5,500 kilometers, it can reach most of Europe, according to the chief of Russia’s missile forces. This incident marks only the second deployment of the Oreshnik, following its earlier use in November 2024 against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

This latest attack intensifies the ongoing barrage against Ukraine as diplomatic negotiations strive to break through in Europe’s most lethal conflict since World War II. Russia commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has persistently maintained its military efforts since then.