Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says Putin planning strike with high-speed Oreshnik missile

Russia has previously attacked ‌Ukraine twice with the Oreshnik, a missile which Vladimir Putin has boasted is impossible to intercept

• Bookmark
• CommentsGo to comments

Bookmark popover

Removed from bookmarks

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is preparing a strike against ​Ukraine using a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile.

Citing intelligence from Ukraine, the US and Europe, Zelensky’s warning came a day after Vladimir Putin ordered his military to prepare options for retaliation for a drone strike on a student dorm in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, which Kyiv denied responsibility for.

Zelensky said in an X post that did not mention the ​drone ⁠attack: "We are seeing signs ⁠of preparation for a combined ​strike ⁠on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, involving various types of weaponry. The specified intermediate-range weapons could be used in such a strike.”

Russia has already attacked ‌Ukraine twice with the Oreshnik, a missile which Vladimir Putin has boasted is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity ‌of more than 10 times the speed of ‌sound.

"We are drawing the attention of our partners in the United States and in Europe to the fact that the use of such weapons and the prolongation of this ‌war also sets a global precedent for other potential aggressors," ​Zelensky said.

• Putin says using nuclear weapons would be ‘last resort’ after massive joint drills with Belarus
• Russia launches nuclear war games on Europe’s doorstep as Nato issues stark warning
• Residents told to shelter as Lativa issues drone alert and scrambles NATO fighter jets
• This is why easing Russia’s oil sanctions is a gut punch to Ukraine

Key Points

• Person dead after Russian drone targets funeral procession
• Death toll in student dorm strike rises to 16
• Ukraine says radiation spike detected after Russia uses uranium in missiles
• Trump says he's sending 5,000 more troops to Poland
• Putin says use of nuclear weapons is 'last resort' measure

Russia says 16 killed in strike on student dorm that it blamed on Ukraine

The death toll from a drone strike on a student dorm in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine has risen to 16, with most of the victims young women, Russian officials said on Saturday, after a heated ⁠UN debate on the incident.

Vladimir Putin ordered his military to prepare options for retaliation against Ukraine on Friday after Moscow accused Kyiv of what it described as a deliberate drone strike on a college in the town of Starobilsk.

Ukraine's military denied responsibility for the attack, saying it had struck an elite drone command unit in the area and that its ⁠forces complied with international humanitarian law. Putin said there were ​no ⁠military facilities in the area.

Reuters said it was not able to independently verify what happened.

At the scene on Saturday, a crane was working to remove rubble from a yawning gap in the ⁠building. Inside one shattered classroom, bricks and dust covered rows of student desks with "I love English" written on ​the wall. ⁠Elsewhere, a stairwell was blocked by debris.

Zelensky: 'Please take care of yourselves and use shelters tonight'

The Ukrainian leader wrote on X: “Our intelligence services reported receiving data, including from American and European partners, about Russia preparing a strike with the Oreshnik missile. We are verifying this information.

“We are seeing signs of preparation for a combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, involving various types of weaponry. The specified intermediate-range weapons could be used in such a strike. It is important to act responsibly on air-raid alerts, starting this evening. Russian madness truly knows no bounds, so please protect your lives – use shelters.

“Second, we are drawing the attention of our partners in the United States and in Europe to the fact that the use of such weapons and the prolongation of this war also sets a global precedent for other potential aggressors. 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. We count on a response from the world – and on a response that is not post factum, but preventive. Pressure must be put on Moscow so that it does not expand the war.

“Third, we are preparing our air defense as much as possible, and we will respond fully justly to every Russian strike. We have given permission for a parade, but Russia has no permission for madness. This war must be ended – we need peace, not some missiles satisfying the sick ambitions of one individual. I thank everyone helping to protect lives. Once again, please take care of yourselves and use shelters tonight.”

'Escalatory and unacceptable' - Britain, France and Germany ‌on the Oreshnik use in January

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany ‌in January described Russia's use of ⁠an Oreshnik ballistic missile in western Ukraine as "escalatory and unacceptable".

Zelensky ⁠said that Kyiv counts on a response from the world and on a "response that ‌is not post ​factum, but preventive."

Pressure must be ‌put on Moscow so that ​it does not expand the war, he added.

Full story: Ukrainian drone attack sparks huge fire at key Russian oil terminal

Ukrainian drone attack sparks huge fire at key Russian oil terminal

Russia preparing strike on Ukraine using hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile, Zelensky says

Russia is preparing a strike against ​Ukraine using a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, citing intelligence from Ukraine, the US and Europe.

The warning came a day after Vladimir Putin ordered his military to prepare options for retaliation against Ukraine for a drone strike on a student dorm in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine's military denied responsibility for that attack.

"We are seeing signs ⁠of preparation for a combined ​strike ⁠on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, involving various types of weaponry. The specified intermediate-range weapons could be used in such a strike," ⁠Zelensky said in an X post that did not mention the ​drone ⁠attack.

Russia has already attacked ‌Ukraine twice with the Oreshnik, a missile which President Vladimir Putin has boasted is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity ‌of more than 10 times the speed of ‌sound.

Moscow first fired an Oreshnik against what it said was a military factory in Ukraine in November 2024. On that occasion Ukrainian sources said the missile was ⁠carrying dummy warheads, not explosives, and caused limited damage.

The second attack was in January 2026, and the missile struck Lviv region in the west of the country.

"We are drawing the attention of our partners in the United States and in Europe to the fact that the use of such weapons and the prolongation of this ‌war also sets a global precedent for other potential aggressors," ​Zelensky said.

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany ‌in January described Russia's use of ⁠an Oreshnik ballistic missile in western Ukraine as "escalatory and unacceptable".

Zelenskiy ⁠said that Kyiv counts on a response from the world and on a "response that ‌is not post ​factum, but preventive."

Pressure must be ‌put on Moscow so that ​it does not expand the war, he added.

Watch: Nato tests ‘deep strike’ missile operations from London Tube station to prepare for Russian attack

Zelensky: 'Ukraine’s place in the EU must be full and equal'

Ukraine is actively working to to become a member of the EU, as it “fights for its life”, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

“There can be no complete European project without Ukraine, and Ukraine’s place in the European Union must also be complete – full and equal,” the Ukrainian president wrote on social media.

“It is important to open the clusters. It is important to make meaningful progress in the negotiations. It is important to work at one hundred percent for security and for our people.”

“Ukraine is fighting for its life, for its independence, and for the Europe that has lived in peace the longest, that protects people, life and culture, and that, thanks to this protection, plays a truly global role.”

Earlier, President Zelensky said Germany’s proposal to grant Ukraine “associate” member of the EU was “unfair” because it would leave Kyiv without a voice inside the box.

In pictures: Ukrainians take part in 'Wild Drones' competition

Russia becoming more reckless and dangerous as Ukraine war falters, foreign secretary warns

Russia’s deteriorating performance on the battlefield is rendering it “more reckless and dangerous”, the foreign secretary has warned, declaring that the post-Cold War “peace dividend” has vanished.

Speaking after a Nato foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden, Yvette Cooper highlighted the escalating threat posed by Moscow’s unpredictability.

“We discussed in the Nato foreign ministers’ meeting how Russia’s weakening on the battlefield against Ukraine is also making them more reckless and dangerous,” she said.

Ms Cooper detailed how Russia, despite being under immense pressure from Ukraine’s military response and economic challenges, is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

This manifests in “escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians, increasing hybrid threats across the continent, and reports of drone incursions”. She added that the threat from Russia is expanding across “air, land, sea, space, cyber and information warfare”.

Russia becoming more reckless and dangerous as Ukraine war falters, Cooper warns

Death toll in student dorm strike rises to 16

The death toll from a drone strike on a student dorm in the Luhansk region has risen to 16, with most of the victims young women, Russian officials said on Saturday.

Russia's state-run news agency RIA reported that five people remained trapped under the rubble.

More about

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies