Russia initiated new offensives on Kyiv during the night following a period marked by intense bombardments in the ongoing war. The Kremlin deployed the medium-range hypersonic Oreshnik missile on Bila Tserkva, located 56 miles south of the Ukrainian capital. Serhiy Sternenko, an advisor to Kyiv’s Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, criticized the missile strike as an attempt to instill fear without nuclear warheads, emphasizing the urgent need for peace over satisfying one individual’s ambitions. NATO dispatched fighters to Poland in response to the severe Russian attacks involving Tu-95MS nuclear-capable bombers, over 50 missiles, and 700 drones.
The retaliatory assault, resulting in casualties among Ukrainians, was reportedly in response to the deaths of at least 12 students, predominantly female, in a Luhansk college dormitory, according to Russian sources. Ukraine stated that the military facility targeted was known for launching strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Prior warnings from Western intelligence, supported by Volodymyr Zelensky, indicated the preparation of an Oreshnik strike by Putin’s military.
Over 40 locations were hit in the Russian offensive overnight, utilizing Dagger, Iskander, and Kh-101 missiles. Several buildings, including 10 apartment complexes and a market at Kyiv’s Kvadrat shopping center, were struck. While Russian sources claimed the deployment of the Oreshnik system with its formidable separating warheads, independent confirmation was lacking initially. The attack resulted in at least four fatalities, with 64 individuals wounded, including children. In response, Poland activated French air force planes to address the situation.
Warsaw’s statement highlighted the activation of necessary forces and assets in response to long-range Russian aircraft conducting airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. Zelensky had been forewarned about the potential Oreshnik strike, with the US embassy in Kyiv also alerted to an imminent major Russian airstrike. Despite being deployed without warheads for the third time as an intimidatory tactic, critics questioned the purpose of firing the Oreshnik missile without causing casualties. The focus remained on the loss of innocent lives and the pressing need for resolution.