On Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense revealed that it launched a new Oleshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in an assault on Ukraine that left four individuals dead and at least 22 others injured.
Russian officials claimed this attack was retaliation for a purported drone strike from Ukraine aimed at President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month, a claim that Ukrainian authorities, along with President Donald Trump, dispute.
This military action occurred just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had cautioned citizens about the potential for a significant offensive from Russia.
President Zelenskiy rejected Russia’s assertion regarding the drone attack on Putin’s residence.
He noted that Russia sought to exploit the harsh winter conditions in the capital, which had led to icy streets and roads.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the missile traveled at an astounding speed of over 8,000 miles per hour.
Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s Military Administration, indicated that the missile struck various districts across the city, resulting in casualties, including emergency medical responders.
Ukrainian security agencies shared that five rescue workers were hurt while attending to victims of the ongoing missile strikes.
A drone impact damaged the roof of a high-rise in the Desnyansky district, causing significant harm to the lower floors of a nearby residential structure.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko mentioned that parts of the city were without water and electricity due to the strikes.
Mayor Andriy Sadovy added that the assault also involved additional missiles launched from land and sea, targeting Lviv, which is crucial to Ukraine’s infrastructure.
