Kyiv suffers a massive missile attack, killing two people and injuring 33. President Zelenskyy warned that the use of the Oreshnyk missile sets a dangerous precedent for the world.
Basic context
Kyiv has been the target of a massive missile and drone strike that killed two people and injured 33 others. This was announced by the mayor of the city Vitali Klitschko, who also noted the damage to several residential buildings. The head of the Kyiv city military administration Timur Tkachenko said the attack affected at least four districts of the capital - Shevchenkivskyi, Dniprovskyi and Podilskyi.
The fire broke out on the school's premises in the city centre, causing extensive damage. Reports of the missile strike came shortly after the Ukrainian Air Force announced a possible launch of the Oreshnik hypersonic rocket“.
The threat of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the use of the Oreshnik missile sets a global precedent that could encourage aggressors around the world. He stressed the need for precautionary measures by the international community to prevent the war from expanding.
The Oreshnik missile, which Russia has already used twice, has a speed of more than ten times faster than sound, making it virtually undetectable by air defence systems. Moscow has deployed this weapon in Belarus, It borders not only Ukraine but also three NATO countries - Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
International reaction and developments on the frontline
Canada strongly condemns the missile attack on civilian targets in Kyiv. Prime Minister Mark Carney called on Moscow to immediately stop the aggression, stressing that these attacks only prolong the suffering of people and will not change the outcome of the war.
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old British volunteer was killed in the conflict zone Ayrton Redfern. His death was confirmed by his mother, who spoke about his service in a special unit supporting the Ukrainian army. Redfern was to receive a medal for bravery shortly after his death.
UN response
The UN has condemned any attacks on civilian objects after a strike on a student dormitory in occupied Luhansk killed 18 people. Kyiv denies targeting civilians, claiming that a Russian drone unit was the target. Due to restricted access, international organisations are unable to fully verify these reports.
These events highlight the complexity and severity of the military conflict, which has not only military but also profound humanitarian consequences, affecting the lives of millions of people in Ukraine and beyond.
