Kyiv: Russia has carried out one of its most intense coordinated aerial assaults on Ukraine, targeting multiple regions including the capital city, Kyiv. During the operation, Moscow reportedly deployed its highly advanced and deadly Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system. This marks the third occasion in the four-year-long conflict that Russia has used the sophisticated weapon against Ukraine.
The large-scale attack claimed the lives of two people and caused severe destruction across Kyiv. Several key structures, including government offices, residential buildings, warehouses, and a school, were heavily damaged in the strikes.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Oreshnik missile launched toward the city of Bila Tserkva is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. In Russian, the term “Oreshnik” translates to “hazelnut tree.” The missile reportedly travels at speeds exceeding Mach 10, nearly ten times the speed of sound, making interception extremely difficult for air defense systems.
Defense experts say the weapon possesses immense destructive capability and can penetrate underground bunkers located three to four stories beneath the surface. Russia had previously used the Oreshnik missile in attacks on the city of Dnipro in November 2024 and later in the western Lviv region.
