Overview
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces launched a mass strike on critical targets in Ukraine using hypersonic Oreshnik missiles in response to an attack on the president’s residence.
- Local reports described explosions in Kyiv and Lviv, and Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said critical infrastructure was damaged with power outages in some districts.
- Deputy Security Council Chair Dmitry Medvedev released surveillance footage of the strikes on X and addressed European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, warning against placing NATO or European troops in Ukraine.
- Austrian analyst Gerhard Mangott told Reuters the operation should be read as a signal to Kyiv’s partners considering stationing forces on Ukrainian territory.
- Italy’s L’AntiDiplomatico argued the Oreshnik use underscores Russian resolve and portrays Western escalation management as failing, reflecting broader debate over the strike’s strategic intent.