Russia launched massive rocket attacks against Ukraine during the night leading up to Sunday. According to Interfax, referencing the Russian Ministry of Defense, the attacks reportedly utilized Oreschnik, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously accused Russia of using a hypersonic missile during the assault.
Russia claimed the strikes targeted military command centers, airbases, and arms factories, whereas Kyiv reported that the attacks were directed at civilian targets. According to Zelensky, at least 83 people were injured during this wave of attacks. A total of 600 drones and 90 rockets were deployed, primarily aimed at Kyiv. Ukrainian sources stated that at least four people were killed.
The Russian Ministry of Defense explained that the offensive was a direct response to attacks targeting civilian locations within Russia. Russian officials had reported that a Ukrainian drone strike on a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region had reportedly killed 18 people. The Ukrainian military disputed responsibility for that attack, stating that it had hit an elite drone command unit in the area.
The Oreschnik medium-range missile, used in the night raids, is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. The development of this missile was prohibited under the formerly valid Intermediate-Range Forces (INF) Treaty.
