Russia Launches Massive Hypersonic Strike on Kyiv: What We Know
Russia Launches Massive Hypersonic Strike on Kyiv: What We Know
Ukraine's capital faces a terrifying wave of strikes as Russia deploys its hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Here is the latest on the casualties and damage.
A massive wave of strikes has rocked Ukraine as Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a large-scale overnight attack. Ukrainian officials reported that the capital city, Kyiv, was the primary target, though several other regions felt the impact of the intense bombardment. At least four people have been killed, and more than 80 others are reported injured as explosions damaged residential buildings, schools, and shopping centers.
The attack is particularly notable for the reported use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile. This weapon is said to travel at over ten times the speed of sound, making it nearly impossible for traditional air defense systems to intercept. While there has been some conflicting information regarding the exact locations hit by this specific missile, the scale of the destruction across more than 50 sites in Kyiv highlights the severity of the situation.
This latest escalation follows warnings from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who anticipated a significant strike after recent tensions. The Russian defense ministry has characterized the operation as a response to Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure in Russian-occupied territories earlier in the week. Specifically, Russia pointed to a strike in Starobilsk as the catalyst for this massive retaliation.
For the people living in Kyiv, the night was spent in shelters as buildings rattled and sirens blared for hours. Emergency services are currently working through the debris in residential areas to assist those affected. The international community is closely watching the situation as the use of high-tech ballistic weaponry marks a concerning shift in the ongoing conflict.
