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In one of its most significant attacks, involving numerous drones and missiles, Russia struck Ukraine during the night on Friday using its sophisticated hypersonic Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile.

Moscow employed Oreshnik to strike essential facilities in Lviv, located in western Ukraine, according to Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.

The Oreshnik, meaning “hazelnut tree” in Russian, is one of Russia’s most recent weapons, a system that Moscow has been eager to highlight.

Its missiles have the capability to carry nuclear warheads and are built to strike targets located at significantly longer distances.

As per the Western Command of Ukraine’s Air Force, the Oreshnik missile that struck a city in western Ukraine moved at a speed of 13,000 kilometers per hour.

The initial documented instance of this missile being utilized was recorded when Russia deployed it against Dnipro.in November 2024.

Russia has already acknowledged employing Oreshnik missiles in attacks against Ukraine.

The Kremlin claimed that the IRBM strike was “a reaction” to Ukraine’s alleged effort to target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s home last month – a statement that Ukraine and the United States both refuted.

The CIA has concluded that Ukraine did not attack Putin’s home, as stated by US officials. US President Donald Trump also contributed toclaims that the attack did not occur.

Double-tap attack on Kyiv

Additionally, during the night into Friday, four individuals lost their lives and 19 others were hurt in the capital city of Kyiv due to a large-scale missile and drone assault by Russia.

A paramedic was among the casualties from a double-tap attack, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“A paramedic lost his life, and four others were hurt while helping individuals in the Darnytskyi area,” he stated.

Several areas within Ukraine’s capital experienced impact, with residential structures suffering harm due to the strike, stated Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

A drone fell onto the roof of a high-rise structure in the Desnyanskyi area. The initial two levels of a residential complex in the same district were also harmed during the incident.

In the Dnipro area, drone components caused damage to a high-rise structure and a fire started.

Water and power supplies were cut off in some areas of the capital due to the attack, Klitschko noted.

Moscow deployed a total of 36 missiles and 242 drones, encompassing 8 Iskander ballistic missiles and 10 Kalibr cruise missiles.

Ukraine’s air force had previously alerted about a ballistic missile danger and stated that drones were approaching the capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned the country about Russian efforts for a major attack on Thursday night.

He mentioned that Russia sought to benefit from the freezing conditions in the capital, where roads have become icy and treacherous, and urged individuals to find safety in bomb shelters when air raid warnings occur.

Russia’s peace signals

Russia initiated its offensive while the United States and its allies were striving to conclude Moscow’s full-scale conflict with Ukraine.

Zelenskyy mentioned that while Russia’s main focus was on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, the Qatari embassy building was also harmed by a Russian drone yesterday.

The Ukrainian president stated, ‘Qatar is a nation that is making significant efforts to mediate with Russia in order to release prisoners of war and civilians detained in Russian facilities.’

Ukraine’s foreign minister also shared images from within the Qatari embassy in Kyiv following the Russian assault.

Zelenskyy additionally urged for “a definitive reaction from the global community,” particularly from the United States.

“Russia needs to get messages that it is its responsibility to concentrate on diplomatic efforts and experience the repercussions each time it prioritizes killing and damage to infrastructure,” he said.

He further stated that the most recent Russian attack acts as a “clear reminder” to all Kyiv’s allies that “assistance with Ukraine’s air defense remains a top focus.”

It is not possible for us to waste even a single day in terms of supply, manufacturing, or discussions.

Previously, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine is organizing immediate meetings of the UN Security Council, the Ukraine-NATO Council, along with actions within the EU, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.

A strike near the EU and NATO border poses a serious danger to security across Europe and serves as a challenge for the transatlantic alliance.

On Thursday, Moscow dismissed the outcomes of the “Coalition of the Willing” Paris meeting concerning security assurances for Ukraine and warned European nations that are open to stationing their troops in Ukraine following a ceasefire and peace deal.

The Russian foreign ministry labeled the European peacekeeping forces as a “legitimate target” for Russia.

Moscow further stated that the outcomes and declarations from the discussions were significantly distant from anything Russia could possibly agree to.

EU criticizes Russia’s Oreshnik strike

Brussels has recently criticized the Russian assault and Moscow’s deployment of the Oreshnik missile.

The European Union’s foreign affairs head, Kaja Kallas, stated that the attack demonstrates “Putin is not seeking peace.”

“Russia’s response to diplomacy is additional missiles and devastation. This lethal cycle of significant Russian attacks will continue until we assist Ukraine in stopping it,” Kallas stated on X.

The deployment of the Oreshnik missile by Russia was “a clear intensification against Ukraine and intended as a warning to Europe and the United States,” she stated.