Hypersonic Missile Hits Kyiv in Large-Scale Attack
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine announced that a powerful hypersonic missile, known as the Oreshnik, was used by Russia in a large-scale drone and missile strike on the capital city of Kyiv. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least two people, marked the third time this type of weapon has been used in the ongoing conflict.
Impact of the Attack
The aerial attack resulted in extensive damage to various parts of the Ukrainian capital. Buildings in close proximity to government offices, residential areas, and schools were not spared. The Oreshnik missile, which can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads, hit the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. However, the precise target was not immediately identified.
According to Russian officials, the Oreshnik was one of several missile types used in the attack. They stated that the targets were Ukrainian "military command and control facilities," air bases, and military industrial enterprises, without specifying the exact locations. They added that the attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on "civilian facilities on Russian territory," but did not provide immediate details.
Accusations and Denials
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously condemned a drone strike on a college dormitory in eastern Ukraine, which was under Russian control. The Kremlin blamed the attack on Kyiv and ordered the military to plan a retaliatory response. Putin stated that there were no military or law enforcement facilities in the vicinity of the college dormitory.
During an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, which was requested by Russia, the Ukrainian Ambassador refuted the Russian ambassador's allegations of war crimes. He described these accusations as "pure propaganda" and affirmed that their operations on May 22 only targeted the Russian military. Ukraine and its allies have long accused Russia of consistently targeting civilians and critical civilian infrastructure since the war began, allegations that the Kremlin denies.
Capabilities of the Oreshnik Missile
Russia claims that the Oreshnik missile is impervious to any missile defense system. The missile was first deployed against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and later in the western Lviv region. The most recent combined attack included hundreds of strike drones and numerous air, sea, and ground-launched missiles. Ukrainian air defenses were able to destroy a significant number of the drones and missiles, while some missiles failed to hit their targets.
President Putin stated that the Oreshnik, which translates to "hazelnut tree" in Russian, travels at ten times the speed of sound (Mach 10) and can destroy underground bunkers several floors deep. He added that the missile, even when fitted with conventional warheads, could cause destruction equivalent to a nuclear strike.
Aftermath and Public Reactions
Air raid sirens wailed throughout the night, and smoke filled the city from the strikes. Damage was recorded at 40 sites across multiple districts of the capital, encompassing residential buildings and other structures. "It was a terrible night, and there had never been anything like it in the entire war," commented a local resident who had worked in a market that was badly damaged.
Another resident, who survived the attack, described how he and his dog were thrown back by the shockwave of an explosion. His apartment was completely destroyed. The attack also affected a school building where people were taking shelter, a supermarket, warehouses, and a residential building in Kyiv's Shevchenko district. One person lost their life in this incident.
In other areas, a Ukrainian drone reportedly killed a civilian in the Russian town of Grayvoron, in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. Russia's Defense Ministry reported that their forces had shot down or jammed several Ukrainian drones over multiple regions including Moscow and Russian-occupied Crimea.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine announced that a powerful hypersonic missile, known as the Oreshnik, was used by Russia in a large-scale drone and missile strike on the capital city of Kyiv. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least two people, marked the third time this type of weapon has been used in the ongoing conflict.
Impact of the Attack
The aerial attack resulted in extensive damage to various parts of the Ukrainian capital. Buildings in close proximity to government offices, residential areas, and schools were not spared. The Oreshnik missile, which can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads, hit the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. However, the precise target was not immediately identified.
According to Russian officials, the Oreshnik was one of several missile types used in the attack. They stated that the targets were Ukrainian "military command and control facilities," air bases, and military industrial enterprises, without specifying the exact locations. They added that the attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on "civilian facilities on Russian territory," but did not provide immediate details.
Accusations and Denials
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously condemned a drone strike on a college dormitory in eastern Ukraine, which was under Russian control. The Kremlin blamed the attack on Kyiv and ordered the military to plan a retaliatory response. Putin stated that there were no military or law enforcement facilities in the vicinity of the college dormitory.
During an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, which was requested by Russia, the Ukrainian Ambassador refuted the Russian ambassador's allegations of war crimes. He described these accusations as "pure propaganda" and affirmed that their operations on May 22 only targeted the Russian military. Ukraine and its allies have long accused Russia of consistently targeting civilians and critical civilian infrastructure since the war began, allegations that the Kremlin denies.
Capabilities of the Oreshnik Missile
Russia claims that the Oreshnik missile is impervious to any missile defense system. The missile was first deployed against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and later in the western Lviv region. The most recent combined attack included hundreds of strike drones and numerous air, sea, and ground-launched missiles. Ukrainian air defenses were able to destroy a significant number of the drones and missiles, while some missiles failed to hit their targets.
President Putin stated that the Oreshnik, which translates to "hazelnut tree" in Russian, travels at ten times the speed of sound (Mach 10) and can destroy underground bunkers several floors deep. He added that the missile, even when fitted with conventional warheads, could cause destruction equivalent to a nuclear strike.
Aftermath and Public Reactions
Air raid sirens wailed throughout the night, and smoke filled the city from the strikes. Damage was recorded at 40 sites across multiple districts of the capital, encompassing residential buildings and other structures. "It was a terrible night, and there had never been anything like it in the entire war," commented a local resident who had worked in a market that was badly damaged.
Another resident, who survived the attack, described how he and his dog were thrown back by the shockwave of an explosion. His apartment was completely destroyed. The attack also affected a school building where people were taking shelter, a supermarket, warehouses, and a residential building in Kyiv's Shevchenko district. One person lost their life in this incident.
In other areas, a Ukrainian drone reportedly killed a civilian in the Russian town of Grayvoron, in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. Russia's Defense Ministry reported that their forces had shot down or jammed several Ukrainian drones over multiple regions including Moscow and Russian-occupied Crimea.
