Russia Unleashes Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine, Oreshnik Confirmed

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In a sweeping overnight operation, Russia launched an extensive assault on Ukraine on Friday, deploying hundreds of drones along with a multitude of missiles, according to Ukrainian officials. The aggressive strike resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left 25 injured in the capital, Kyiv.

Reports from Ukraine indicate that the attack comprised 13 ballistic missiles, 22 cruise missiles, 242 drones, and included the hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that several parts of the capital suffered damage, with the Qatari Embassy among the affected areas. He emphasized Qatar's crucial role in mediating prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia.

The Russian defense ministry claimed that the strikes were a response to an alleged Ukrainian attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence, a statement Ukraine has firmly denied. U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that no such incident occurred.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denounced the attack, labeling it a significant threat to European security. He remarked that the strike near EU and NATO borders represents a test for the transatlantic alliance, dismissing Russia's reasoning as merely “hallucinations.”

This assault followed a warning from Zelensky regarding Russia's intentions for a large-scale offensive, particularly taking advantage of the harsh winter conditions in Kyiv, which have rendered travel perilous.

The EU's top diplomat denoted the use of the Oreshnik missile by Russia as a “clear escalation” in the ongoing conflict.

Understanding the Oreshnik Missile

The Oreshnik missile is a hypersonic weapon capable of reaching speeds up to 13,000 km/h, which is nearly ten times the speed of sound. Officials in Russia assert that it is highly challenging to intercept and has the destructive capability comparable to that of a nuclear weapon, even with a conventional warhead.

With a reported range of up to 5,500 kilometers, as stated by Russia’s missile forces chief, it is capable of reaching most parts of Europe. This instance marks only the second deployment of the Oreshnik, the first being in November 2024 during an assault on Dnipro.

This latest attack adds to the relentless series of daily assaults on Ukraine, continuing amid ongoing diplomatic endeavors seeking a resolution in what stands as Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Russia's full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022 and has been ongoing ever since.