Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone strike on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Sunday. Ukrainian authorities said at least one person was killed and more than 20 others were injured in the overnight assault.

The attack came shortly after Moscow warned of retaliation following a Ukrainian drone strike in Russian-occupied eastern areas. Russia claimed that the Ukrainian strike hit a college dormitory and killed at least 18 people.

Kyiv Faces Heavy “Mass Ballistic Missile Attack”

Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko described the strike as a “mass ballistic missile attack”. “The capital has come under a mass ballistic missile attack,” Tkachenko wrote on Telegram.

He said multiple districts, including Shevchenkivsky, Dniprovsky, and Podilsky, came under fire. Early reports confirmed several fires and damage to residential buildings across the city.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said apartment buildings and a school were also damaged in the attack.

Zelenskyy Claims Use of Hypersonic Missile

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia used the nuclear-capable “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile during the strike.

“Three Russian missiles against a water supply facility, a market burnt down, dozens of residential buildings damaged, several ordinary schools, and he launched his ‘Oreshnik’ against Bila Tserkva in central Ukraine. They are genuinely deranged,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

He warned that such attacks could create a dangerous global precedent if the world fails to respond strongly.

“If Russia is allowed to destroy lives on such a scale, then no agreement will restrain other similar hatred-based regimes from aggression and strikes,” he said.

Zelenskyy also urged international partners to increase pressure on Russia.

Explosions, Fires and Subway Damage in Kyiv

The attack triggered multiple explosions across Kyiv that continued for several hours. Fires broke out in different parts of the city as damage spread. Authorities also reported damage to two entrances of Kyiv’s subway system. These stations are commonly used by civilians as shelters during air raids.

One of the damaged sites is near Independence Square, also known as Maidan, a key symbol of Ukraine’s resistance.

Previous Use of “Oreshnik” Missile Reported

Reports say Russia previously used the “Oreshnik” intermediate-range ballistic missile in 2024 and again earlier this year. Ukrainian officials earlier claimed those strikes involved dummy payloads rather than active warheads.