USA10 January, 20262 min read
Russia Launches Major Attack on Ukraine
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Russian forces used the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile for a second confirmed strike. Large overnight missile-and-drone barrage struck Kyiv, killing at least four and injuring about 24.
5 outlets told this the same way.
Russian strikes on Kyiv
A major overnight Russian attack struck Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, hitting apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure and causing multiple deaths and widespread service outages. Reports say the strikes killed four people, including an emergency medical aid worker, and wounded at least 25, while responders were also injured and the attack damaged the Qatari embassy in Kyiv. Roughly half of Kyiv's apartment buildings—about 6,000 units—lost heating amid daytime temperatures around -8°C (17.6°F).
“Overnight strikes in Kyiv hit apartment buildings, killing four people (including an emergency medical aid worker) and wounding at least 25; four doctors and a police officer were injured while responding.”
Authorities used portable boilers to restore power and heat to hospitals and maternity wards. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a clear response from the international community, particularly the U.S., which he said Russia takes seriously.
Humanitarian impact and response
The humanitarian impact was acute: sub-zero daytime temperatures and widespread heating outages heightened the civilian toll and disruption. Authorities reported about 6,000 apartments without heating and disruptions to water services.
Portable boilers were brought in to restore power and heat to hospitals and maternity wards. Local officials urged residents in affected areas to seek warmer places when possible.
Missile strikes and assessments
Accounts conflict and overlap on which weapons were used and which targets were hit. Ukrainian officials and reporting pointed to an Oreshnik intermediate/medium-range ballistic or hypersonic missile in strikes on western Ukraine.
“Ukraine said Russia struck a state factory in Leópolis (Lviv) with an Oreshnik medium‑range/hypersonic missile—likely carrying inert warheads—causing small submunition damage but no abnormal radiation.”
Ukrainian authorities and the SBU released fragments and described the warhead as likely inert or a 'dummy,' causing limited submunition damage and no abnormal radiation. Western governments described use of that missile type as escalatory and unacceptable.
Battlefield and diplomatic updates
Coverage beyond Kyiv highlights other battlefield and geopolitical developments. France 24 reports Russia struck two cargo ships in the Black Sea, killing one Syrian crew member. The IAEA has begun consultations for a temporary ceasefire around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the EU to resume talks with Russia while opposing Russia’s immediate readmission to the G7. The UN’s top official strongly condemned strikes on civilian infrastructure, calling them violations of international humanitarian law that must stop immediately.
National and diplomatic moves were noted, such as Spain’s planned reception of seven new ambassadors including Ukraine’s. These developments were reported alongside calls for stronger international action.