Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine using a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile, prompting swift condemnation from European leaders who characterized the attack as reckless brinkmanship that deliberately targeted civilian populations. The deployment of the Oreshnik missile system, capable of striking targets across large parts of Europe, came as part of a large-scale offensive overnight into Sunday that included 90 missiles and cruise missiles as well as around 600 drones.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the attack a "reckless escalation" and reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said civilian targets in Ukraine had once again come under attack and described the reported use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile as a sign of both the deadlock in Russia's war effort and a dangerous escalation of the conflict. Macron added that France would continue supporting Ukraine and efforts towards a just and lasting peace.
Targeting Civilians as Military Strategy
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the massive Russian assault demonstrated "the Kremlin's brutality and disregard for both human life and peace negotiations." She said terror against civilians was "not strength" but "desperation" and added that the European Union would continue supporting Ukraine, particularly by strengthening its air defence systems.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the attacks as "abhorrent acts of terror" against the Ukrainian civilian population. She said Russia had reached a military dead end and was therefore deliberately targeting city centres. Kallas called the reported use of the Oreshnik missile particularly alarming, describing it as "reckless nuclear brinkmanship."
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had again deployed its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, this time in the Kyiv region. The Russian Defence Ministry later confirmed the launch, saying it came as part of a retaliatory attack following Ukrainian strikes against "civilian targets," which Kyiv has denied.
A Weapon System Designed for Continental Reach
According to Moscow, the intermediate-range missile is capable of striking targets between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometres away. Russian military officials have claimed this would put large parts of Europe within range. Belarus is also believed to possess the missile system. The Oreshnik missile's first known use came in 2024 during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Since then, the weapon system has become one of the Kremlin's most closely watched military projects. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the ballistic missile as a "state-of-the-art."
Although many of the targets were intercepted during the overnight assault, dozens of hits were still reported. Among the sites damaged was the centrally located studio of German public broadcaster ARD, which was heavily damaged and partially destroyed. According to the broadcaster, a massive blast wave likely caused the destruction, shattering windows and devastating parts of the studio. No one was injured in the attack. At the time of the strike, no employees were inside the building.
International Response Intensifies
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss further pressure on Russia next week. The deployment of nuclear-capable weapons against civilian infrastructure has raised urgent questions about escalation dynamics and the protection of non-combatants in the conflict.
Why This Matters:
The deliberate use of a nuclear-capable missile system against civilian areas represents a dangerous escalation that threatens not only Ukrainian lives but European security more broadly. When military powers deploy weapons designed for continental reach against population centers, the human cost extends beyond immediate casualties to encompass millions living under the threat of nuclear brinkmanship. The targeting of civilian infrastructure—including media facilities that serve democratic accountability—undermines international humanitarian law and the norms that protect non-combatants during armed conflict. European leaders' emphasis on strengthening air defense systems reflects the recognition that protecting civilian populations requires robust public investment in collective security. The international community's response to this escalation will determine whether the deliberate terrorizing of civilian populations becomes normalized or whether democratic nations can maintain multilateral pressure to uphold humanitarian protections and the rules-based international order.