Russia Unleashes Devastating Missile Strike on Ukraine Amid Escalating Tensions with the West

A deadly and devastating missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, has left at least four people dead and 25 injured, sparking international outrage and concern. In what is being seen as a warning to the West, Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles, including a powerful hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, which struck western Ukraine. This is the second time Russia has used the hypersonic missile in the Ukraine conflict, which has raged on for over four years. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, following the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic and US President Donald Trump's hint at imposing sanctions on Russia. The attack is seen as a retaliation by Russia against Ukraine and its allies, who have reported progress in agreeing on a defense strategy in the event of a peace deal with the US. European leaders have condemned the attack, describing it as 'escalatory and unacceptable.' The widespread power outage caused by the missiles left nearly 6,000 buildings without heat, with temperatures plummeting to minus-8 degrees Celsius. However, municipal services were able to restore power and heat to public facilities, including hospitals and maternity wards. Russia's defense ministry has claimed that the attack was a retaliation against a Ukrainian drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences last month, which the US and Ukraine have denied. Putin had earlier warned that the Oreshnik missile, which can strike at the speed of Mach 10, making it 'immune to any missile defense system,' could be used against allies of Kyiv that allow it to strike inside the country with longer-range missiles.