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Overnight attacks leave four dead in Kyiv
Russian forces launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine overnight, killing four people and injuring 25 in the capital, Kyiv. Explosions lit up the sky for hours as air raid sirens blared across the city.
Rare Oreshnik missile used near Poland border
Moscow deployed the Oreshnik ballistic missile for only the second time in the war, striking infrastructure in Lviv, a western city 60 km from the Polish border. Ukrainian officials confirmed the hypersonic missile's use, calling it a severe threat to European security.
The Oreshnik, first used in November 2024 against Dnipro, has an intermediate range of up to 5,500 km and fragments into multiple projectiles during descent, creating a series of rapid explosions.
"This strike near the EU and NATO border tests the transatlantic community's resolve," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister
Russia cites disputed drone attack as justification
Russia's defense ministry claimed the strikes were retaliation for a December drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence, an incident Kyiv denies. The EU and former U.S. President Donald Trump have both questioned whether the attack occurred.
Sybiha dismissed the justification as "hallucinations," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported 13 ballistic missiles, 22 cruise missiles, and 242 drones targeted energy and civilian sites overnight.
Civilian infrastructure hit amid freezing temperatures
In Kyiv, a paramedic was killed in a "double-tap" strike-where a second explosion targets rescuers after the initial blast. Two apartment buildings and a high-rise in the city center were damaged, disrupting power during subzero temperatures.
Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians during a cold snap, vowing to restore heating and electricity. The Qatari embassy in Kyiv also sustained damage.
Energy grid under sustained pressure
Attacks on power plants have become a hallmark of the war, with Ukraine retaliating against Russian infrastructure. On Thursday, Ukrainian shelling left 500,000 people in Belgorod without power, while a strike on Oryol disrupted water and heating systems.
As temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to drop to -15°C this weekend, officials warned of further strain on already fragile utilities.
