Russia Launches Overnight Oreshnik Missile Strike, Killing Four in Kyiv and Hitting Lviv
Updated (9 articles)
Massive hypersonic barrage devastates Kyiv and reaches Lviv On the night of 9 January 2026, Russia fired a nuclear‑capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile from the Kapustin Yar test range, marking the weapon’s second combat use [1]. The strike hit Kyiv, killing four civilians—including an emergency medical worker—and wounding roughly 25 people, while debris was later recovered in the Lviv region near the Polish border [1][6]. Simultaneous drone swarms and dozens of conventional missiles targeted civilian infrastructure across multiple oblasts, causing widespread damage [1][3].
Moscow claims retaliation for a non‑existent drone attack The Russian Defence Ministry framed the operation as “retaliation” for an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region [2][5][8]. Kyiv’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the United States rejected the claim, stating no such attack occurred [1][2]. This narrative was echoed in Russian statements that the Oreshnik strike was a warning to NATO‑adjacent forces, despite the lack of corroborating evidence [4][5].
Winter energy crisis deepens as power and heat collapse The overnight assault knocked out electricity for more than half a million households in Kyiv and left roughly 6,000 apartment buildings without heating, prompting mayor Vitali Klitschko to urge temporary relocation [2][3]. Water supplies were disrupted, and gas pipelines near the Polish border were damaged, intensifying the humanitarian toll amid sub‑zero temperatures [1][2]. Ukrainian emergency services reported dozens of injuries among responders attempting to restore utilities [1][6].
Allied leaders condemn strike and push for UN action European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, labeled the attack “escalatory and unacceptable,” while the Pope called for an immediate ceasefire [1][6]. President Volodymyr Zelensky used X to press former President Donald Trump for a decisive response and announced plans to seek an urgent UN Security Council meeting [1][2]. The United Kingdom’s defence secretary and other NATO allies pledged additional air‑defence support, emphasizing the need for a coordinated diplomatic front [2][3].
Conflicting reports on Lviv casualties and missile capabilities Russian statements asserted that the Lviv strike caused no casualties, yet Ukrainian sources documented infrastructure damage and civilian injuries in the region [5][6]. Analysts highlighted the Oreshnik’s MIRV‑like warhead design, Mach 10 speed, and ability to carry either nuclear or conventional payloads, underscoring its strategic significance [5][8]. Debris recovered in Lviv provided material evidence of the missile’s use, fueling further investigations into compliance with international arms agreements [1][3].
Sources
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1.
AP: Russia launches overnight attack on Ukraine with hypersonic Oreshnik missile: Details the Jan 10 strike, casualties in Kyiv, debris in Lviv, and diplomatic fallout .
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2.
Newsweek: Zelensky urges Trump to act as Russia fires Oreshnik missiles and Ukraine endures freezing winter: Highlights Zelensky’s appeal to Trump, casualty figures, energy outages, and European condemnation .
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3.
CNN: Russia fires Oreshnik missile at western Ukraine near Poland border triggering energy outages and international condemnation: Reports the missile’s launch near the NATO border, energy impacts, and civilian vessel attacks .
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4.
CNN: Russia fires Oreshnik missile into Ukraine for second time signaling warning to West: Provides context on the missile’s previous use, technical specs, and strategic messaging .
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5.
AP: Russia says second use of hypersonic Oreshnik missile strikes Ukraine near Lviv: Focuses on the Lviv strike, Russian justification, and missile capabilities .
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6.
BBC: Oreshnik missile used in fresh Russian strikes on Ukraine, Kyiv hit and Lviv targeted: Covers casualty numbers, Ukrainian denial of the retaliation claim, and EU response .
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Newsweek: US warns of potentially significant air attack on Ukraine as Russia claims Oreshnik strike on Lviv: Notes the U.S. embassy warning, broader air‑attack concerns, and Paris peace talks .
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8.
Newsweek: Russia launches Oreshnik nuclear missile in massive strike to avenge Putin residence: Emphasizes the nuclear‑capable claim, casualty figures, and the missile’s historical use .
Timeline
2019 – The United States withdraws from the Intermediate‑Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, ending the last major arms‑control pact that limited missiles like the Oreshnik and prompting Western allies to supply systems such as ATACMS to Ukraine[2].
Nov 2024 – Russia fires the Oreshnik missile for the first time, striking a vacant factory in Dnipro; President Putin later confirms the use, saying “We have used the Oreshnik missile” and emphasizing its hypersonic, Mach‑10 capability[2][6].
Dec 2025 – An Oreshnik‑armed system enters combat duty in Belarus, with President Lukashenko announcing that up to ten launchers will be stationed there, extending Russia’s nuclear umbrella to its western frontier[6].
Dec 27, 2025 – Russian forces launch a massive missile and drone barrage on Kyiv, igniting explosions and prompting air‑defence systems to engage; officials report “Air defenses are active in the city” as civilians seek shelter[9].
Dec 27, 2025 – The Kyiv strike occurs two days before President Zelensky’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, underscoring its timing ahead of high‑level peace‑accord talks[9].
Jan 9, 2026 – Russia launches an overnight Oreshnik strike that hits Kyiv (four dead, ~25 injured) and Lviv near the Polish border; Moscow claims retaliation for a supposed Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence, a claim Kyiv and the United States reject[1][4][5].
Jan 9, 2026 – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemns the missile use, saying “This is a warning to Europe and the United States,” while British Defence Secretary John Healey calls the attack “unacceptable and escalatory”[1][4].
Jan 9, 2026 – President Zelensky posts on X urging President Trump to intervene, writing “We need a clear response from the United States” and framing the strikes as a test of allied resolve[4].
Jan 9, 2026 – The U.S. embassy in Kyiv issues an alert that “you should prepare to shelter immediately if an air alert is announced,” warning of a potentially significant air attack in the coming days[5].
Jan 9, 2026 – U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meet Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Paris, stating “We are committed to a peace plan for Ukraine” as diplomatic talks continue amid the missile strikes[5].
Jan 9, 2026 – Russia announces a second Oreshnik use targeting western Ukraine near a NATO logistics hub in Poland, describing the missile as striking “the NATO logistics hub” without reporting casualties[7].
Jan 9, 2026 – President Putin declares the Oreshnik “streaks at Mach 10, like a meteorite, and can destroy underground bunkers three, four floors down,” emphasizing its strategic potency[7].
Jan 9, 2026 – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says Kyiv will seek an urgent UN Security Council meeting and a NATO‑Ukraine Council gathering in response to the Oreshnik attack[8].
Jan 9, 2026 – Pope Francis calls for “an immediate ceasefire and renewed dialogue” after the missile barrage, urging all parties to halt hostilities[8].
Jan 9, 2026 – Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warns residents to temporarily relocate as half a million households lose heating and electricity, stating “Residents must relocate temporarily due to extreme cold”[4].
Jan 10, 2026 – Russia conducts a massive overnight assault with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the Oreshnik, killing at least four in Kyiv, damaging water and heating systems, and prompting Ukraine to demand international action such as a UN Security Council meeting[8].
All related articles (9 articles)
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AP: Russia launches overnight attack on Ukraine with hypersonic Oreshnik missile
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Newsweek: Zelensky urges Trump to act as Russia fires Oreshnik missiles and Ukraine endures freezing winter
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CNN: Russia fires Oreshnik missile at western Ukraine near Poland border triggering energy outages and international condemnation
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CNN: Russia fires Oreshnik missile into Ukraine for second time signaling warning to West
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AP: Russia says second use of hypersonic Oreshnik missile strikes Ukraine near Lviv
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BBC: Oreshnik missile used in fresh Russian strikes on Ukraine, Kyiv hit and Lviv targeted
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Newsweek: US warns of potentially significant air attack on Ukraine as Russia claims Oreshnik strike on Lviv
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Newsweek: Russia launches Oreshnik nuclear missile in massive strike to avenge Putin residence
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The Hindu: Ukrainian capital Kyiv under massive Russian attack, officials say