Russia Launches Major Attack on Ukraine, Fires Oreshnik Hypersonic Missiles
Russia has launched large-scale attacks on Ukraine, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the capital, Kyiv, was the primary target, though other regions were also struck.
Four people have died in Kyiv and its surrounding areas. At least 83 people have been injured in the attacks. Sounds of explosions were heard across the entire region during the night between Saturday and Sunday, and there are reports of damage to residential buildings and schools.
Russia's Ministry of Defense stated that the "Oreshnik" hypersonic missile was used in the attacks. The Ministry added that these strikes were carried out in retaliation for "attacks on civilian infrastructure" allegedly conducted by Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly attack on a dormitory in the city of Starobilsk on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of 21 people.
The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces acknowledged that they had indeed launched an attack on Friday night near Starobilsk—located in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine—but claimed that the target was a specific Russian military unit.
These Russian attacks on Sunday night occurred just as Zelenskyy had issued a warning that Russia was planning an offensive and could employ the Oreshnik missile.
This missile can travel at speeds exceeding 10 times the speed of sound, making it nearly impossible to intercept.