Oreshnik Missile Targets Ukraine in New Wave of Strikes

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, marked by a significant wave of missile strikes targeting Kyiv and western regions like Lviv. The recent barrage included over a dozen missiles and hundreds of drones, causing extensive damage and casualties.

Impact on Kyiv and Lviv

During the attack on Thursday night, a paramedic tragically lost their life while responding to a damaged apartment in Kyiv. Both the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, and President Zelensky described this incident as a “double-tap” strike. This tactic involves launching a secondary attack shortly after the initial strike, aiming to inflict further harm on rescuers.

• Missiles and drones targeted:
• Two apartment buildings on the Dnipro River’s east bank
• A high-rise building in central Kyiv

The destructive aftermath was evident as wreckage from a Russian drone littered the streets. Damage included a visible, charred entry hole on the 11th floor of a residential block. As the clean-up began, many businesses that remained undamaged opened their doors, providing a semblance of normalcy.

Challenging Winter Conditions

This escalation in hostilities occurs during a harsh winter, with temperatures expected to plummet to -15°C (5°F). Klitschko advised residents to find temporary warmth elsewhere, as approximately half of Kyiv’s apartments—nearly 6,000—lacked heat due to the attacks on critical infrastructure. The city now buzzes with the sound of diesel generators, which businesses rely on for power. In contrast, many residential buildings remain dependent on central heating that may take longer to restore.

Recurring Attacks on Infrastructure

The targeting of energy infrastructure has become a common strategy in this conflict. Ukraine has increasingly retaliated against Russian strikes on its power plants, which leave millions without electricity and heating. Just as Ukraine suffered from the latest missile barrage, the Russian region of Belgorod reported that half a million residents experienced power outages due to Ukrainian shelling. Additionally, a Ukrainian strike on a power plant in Oryol impacted local water and heating systems.

The ongoing violence and its repercussions highlight the dire situation faced by civilians as the war rages on.