At least 2 dead, 83 wounded after Russia uses nuclear-capable missile in massive attack on Ukraine

At Least 2 Dead, 83 Wounded After Russia Deploys Nuclear-Capable Missile in Kyiv Attack

At least 2 dead 83 wounded - Russian forces launched a significant aerial strike on Kyiv on Sunday, using the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which has the capacity to carry nuclear warheads, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The assault, which claimed at least two lives and injured 83 others, marked the third deployment of the Oreshnik since the war began in 2022. Zelenskyy shared details of the attack in a Telegram post, describing the city as a key target in a broader offensive.

Attack Scale and Impact

The attack involved a combination of drone and missile strikes, making it one of the most intense operations in the conflict to date. Ukrainian authorities reported damage to multiple locations, including government buildings, residential areas, a market, and schools. Harrowing footage captured emergency responders evacuating people from a partially collapsed residential building engulfed in flames. The devastation extended across the capital, with smoke and debris lingering into the early hours of the morning.

Ukraine’s military claimed the Oreshnik struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. The specific target was not immediately disclosed, though Zelenskyy indicated the strike aimed to disrupt critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the use of the Oreshnik alongside other missile types to attack "military command and control facilities," air bases, and industrial complexes. However, the ministry later clarified that no civilian sites were targeted in the overnight strike, contradicting earlier reports.

Russian Retaliation and Accusations

President Vladimir Putin, on Friday, criticized a drone attack on a college dormitory in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, which Moscow attributes to Kyiv. He asserted that the strike was deliberate, emphasizing the absence of military or law enforcement facilities near the college. This accusation followed his order for the Russian military to prepare retaliation plans against Ukrainian targets. The Kremlin has consistently denied claims of targeting civilians, maintaining that its strikes are focused on military assets.

Putin described the Oreshnik as a weapon capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 10, likening its trajectory to that of a meteorite. He highlighted its ability to penetrate underground bunkers up to three or four floors deep, even when equipped with conventional warheads. According to Russian officials, the missile’s design makes it impervious to current defense systems, granting it a strategic advantage in the war. This capability has raised concerns among international observers about its potential use in escalating the conflict.

International Reactions and Casualties

On Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported a surge in casualties from an earlier strike in Starobilsk, where the death toll reached 21. A further 42 individuals were injured in that attack. The Luhansk region’s Kremlin-backed authorities declared two consecutive days of mourning to honor the victims, underscoring the severity of the toll. These figures contribute to the growing body of evidence of civilian harm attributed to Russian operations.

During a U.N. Security Council emergency meeting, Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Melnyk refuted Russia’s allegations of war crimes, calling them a "pure propaganda show." He emphasized that the May 22 strikes "exclusively targeted the Russian war machine," a stance supported by Kyiv’s European allies. France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz issued strong condemnations of the attack, highlighting the use of the Oreshnik as a symbol of Russia’s aggressive tactics. These statements reflect a unified front among Western nations against Moscow’s actions.

Strategic Context and Military Details

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that the combined assault involved 600 strike drones and 90 air, sea, and ground-launched missiles. Of these, 549 drones and 55 missiles were neutralized by Ukrainian air defenses, while 19 missiles failed to reach their intended targets. The effectiveness of the Oreshnik’s speed and maneuverability is evident in its ability to bypass traditional defense systems, as noted by Putin. This has prompted fears of its use in future strikes to maximize civilian casualties.

Earlier this week, Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing to deploy the Oreshnik as part of a larger strategy, citing intelligence from U.S. and Western allies. His comments align with the broader Ukrainian narrative that Russia has systematically targeted civilian infrastructure since the war’s onset. The Oreshnik’s deployment in Kyiv adds to this pattern, with its nuclear capability raising the stakes of the conflict. Analysts suggest that the weapon’s use reflects a shift toward more destructive tactics as Russia seeks to weaken Ukraine’s resolve.

Global Response and Future Implications

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, condemned the strikes in an X post, labeling them "abhorrent acts of terror" intended to maximize civilian casualties. She called for intensified international pressure, stating that EU diplomats would convene within days to discuss measures against Russia. Her remarks highlight the growing concern among European leaders over the humanitarian impact of the war.

Meanwhile, the Oreshnik’s history shows it has been used previously. Russia first deployed the missile in November 2024 against Dnipro, and a second strike occurred in January in the Lviv region. These earlier attacks, combined with the latest strike in Kyiv, suggest the Oreshnik is becoming a key component of Russia’s military strategy. Its ability to strike with precision and speed has made it a preferred choice for targeting both military and urban areas.

The attack’s timing has also drawn attention, with reports of air raid sirens sounding throughout the night. Associated Press journalists documented the chaos as smoke filled the skies over Kyiv, a visual testament to the scale of the assault. Such imagery has intensified calls for accountability, with Ukraine and its allies arguing that the Oreshnik’s deployment represents a calculated effort to weaken civilian morale and infrastructure.

Contextualizing the Conflict

Ukraine has consistently accused Russia of targeting civilians and key infrastructure, a claim the Kremlin denies. The use of the Oreshnik in Kyiv appears to validate these accusations, as the missile’s power and range could have easily struck populated areas. The Russian government’s conflicting statements—first blaming civilian facilities, then clarifying no such sites were targeted—have fueled skepticism about its transparency.

Despite these contradictions, the Oreshnik’s deployment underscores the evolving nature of the conflict. As Russia continues to escalate its military efforts, the weapon serves as a reminder of the potential for devastating attacks. The international community now faces a critical choice: to support Ukraine’s defense or to allow Russia’s strategy to intensify. The recent strikes have set the stage for further escalation, with the Oreshnik poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the conflict’s trajectory.

The Ukrainian military’s response to the attack has been swift, with efforts to counter the Oreshnik’s impact continuing. Analysts note that the missile’s deployment may signal a new phase in the war, where Russia seeks to exploit its technological edge to pressure Kyiv. As the conflict progresses, the use of nuclear-capable weapons like the Oreshnik could redefine the stakes, prompting urgent discussions on deterrence and global security. The situation remains fluid, with both sides vying for strategic advantage in a war that shows no signs of slowing down.