Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a significant escalation, Russia unleashed a comprehensive assault on Ukraine during the night on Friday, deploying hundreds of drones along with numerous missiles, according to reports from Ukrainian authorities. This barrage tragically resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left 25 injured in Kyiv.

Official statements from Ukraine indicated that the onslaught included 13 ballistic missiles, 22 cruise missiles, and an alarming 242 drones, prominently featuring Russia's hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky brought attention to the damage incurred in several parts of the capital, notably affecting the Qatari Embassy, which has played a crucial role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between the nations.

The Russian Ministry of Defence characterized the bombardment as a response to an alleged incident involving an attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence. This claim has been flatly denied by Ukraine, with US President Donald Trump also asserting that no such event occurred.

Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, condemned the strike as posing a grave threat to European security. He labeled the strike near the borders of the EU and NATO as a crucial test for the transatlantic alliance and dismissed Russia’s justification as mere “hallucinations.”

This assault followed Zelensky's earlier warnings that Russia was gearing up for an expansive offensive, intending to take advantage of the perilous winter conditions in Kyiv that have rendered travel hazardous.

The EU’s leading diplomat publicly labeled the deployment of the Oreshnik missile as a “clear escalation” in the ongoing conflict.

Understanding the Oreshnik Missile

The Oreshnik missile is a hypersonic weapon that reaches speeds of 13,000 km/h, nearly ten times that of sound. Russian officials assert it is nearly impossible to intercept, with the potential to wreak havoc comparable to that of a nuclear device, even with a conventional warhead.

With an effective range of up to 5,500 kilometers, this weapon, according to Russia’s missile forces chief, can target most of Europe. This deployment marks the second instance of Russia utilizing the Oreshnik, following its initial use in November 2024 during an assault on Dnipro, Ukraine.

The recent attacks feed into a relentless pattern of strikes on Ukraine even as diplomatic channels strive for resolution in what is regarded as the deadliest conflict in Europe since the end of World War II. Russia's extensive military campaign began in February 2022 and has shown no signs of abating.

#Global News