• Russia launched a large missile attack on Kyiv, including the hypersonic Oreshnik missile.
• At least four people were killed and over 100 injured in the strikes.
• The operation involved approximately 600 drones and 90 missiles targeting various locations across Kyiv.
• The attack is seen as Russia’s retaliation for a recent Ukrainian strike on a college dormitory in Luhansk.
• European leaders condemned the assaults, emphasizing the desperate nature of Russia's tactics.

On Sunday, Russia executed a massive missile and drone assault on Kyiv, utilizing the hypersonic Oreshnik missile among various other missile types, marking one of the most significant bombardments of the conflict. At least four individuals were killed and over 100 were wounded as explosions rocked multiple districts of the city throughout the night, forcing residents to seek shelter in underground stations, according to South China Morning Post, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

The assault involved around 600 strike drones and 90 missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepting approximately 549 drones and 55 missiles, as stated by both the Ukrainian military and various reports. Damage was recorded at around 50 locations, including residential buildings, schools, and commercial centers, highlighting the civilian toll of the Russian strikes, according to Le Monde and Channel News Asia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, asserting that it was a retaliatory measure by Russia following a drone strike on a college dormitory in Starobilsk, which resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals. The Ukrainian military emphasized that they target military sites rather than civilian locations, stressing that the missile assault was characterized by "genuinely deranged" tactics, as reported by Channel News Asia and India Times.

European leaders, including France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz, denounced Russia's use of the Oreshnik missile, considering it a reckless escalation indicative of desperation. Ukrainian officials noted a critical shortage of air defense systems, complicating their efforts to fend off such devastating attacks, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.

The Oreshnik missile, known for its speed and multiple warhead capabilities, poses significant challenges for interception systems, which is evident in its continued successful deployment by Russia in this ongoing conflict. Analysts warn that the weapon's psychological impact may be as significant as its physical destruction, serving as a tool for both military and psychological warfare, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.