Russian forces launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine using drones, missiles, and the advanced hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, resulting in at least three deaths and numerous injuries in the capital Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported widespread damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, exacerbating hardships during severe winter conditions.

In Kyiv, multiple districts sustained direct hits from the barrage. The Desnyanskyi district saw a drone crash onto the roof of a multi-storey building, while debris from another attack severely damaged the lower floors of a residential structure. In the Dnipro district, drone fragments ignited a fire after impacting a high-rise, leading to disruptions in electricity and running water across affected areas, as confirmed by Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Simultaneously, a high-speed ballistic missile targeted critical infrastructure in the western city of Lviv. Mayor Andriy Sadoviy reported the strike, with Ukraine's Western Air Command noting the projectile traveled at approximately 13,000 kilometers per hour along a ballistic trajectory. Russia's Defense Ministry later claimed responsibility for deploying the Oreshnik intermediate-range missile, describing it as retaliation for prior incidents.

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The onslaught occurred mere hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a public warning about an impending large-scale Russian offensive. He highlighted Moscow's strategy to exploit frigid temperatures, turning icy roads and harsh weather into tactical advantages against Ukraine's defenses and civilian population.

This latest escalation underscores ongoing tensions, with reports indicating the Oreshnik's deployment marks a rare use of one of Russia's most sophisticated weapons, capable of hypersonic speeds and challenging existing air defense systems. Investigations into the exact impacts and missile types continue amid calls for enhanced international support.

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