Russia carried out one of its most significant and technologically advanced attacks on Ukraine overnight, deploying a rarely used medium-range ballistic missile alongside dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones, Ukrainian authorities said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the operational use of the Oreshnik missile, tracked by Ukrainian air defenses from the Kapustin Yar test range. Regional officials in western Ukraine said a high-speed ballistic missile struck critical infrastructure near the Polish border, raising concerns over regional security.
In Kyiv, authorities reported four deaths and 25 injuries, including an emergency medical worker killed in what officials described as a “double-tap” strike targeting first responders.
The Kremlin said the attack was retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in late December, a claim rejected by both Ukraine and the United States. Ukrainian officials warned the strike represented a dangerous escalation and a direct test of NATO’s resolve.
Ukraine’s Air Force said the assault involved 242 drones and 36 missiles, underscoring the scale of the combined aerial attack despite high interception rates.
