Civilian targets across Ukraine bore the cost of a large-scale Russian offensive overnight into Sunday, which included the reported deployment of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile and a barrage of 90 missiles and 600 drones, as European leaders condemned the attacks while simultaneously pledging continued military support. The assault, described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as demonstrating "the Kremlin’s brutality and disregard for both human life and peace negotiations," resulted in dozens of hits despite many targets being intercepted.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the launch of the Oreshnik missile, stating it was part of a retaliatory attack following Ukrainian strikes against "civilian targets," a claim Kyiv has denied. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported Russia's deployment of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in the Kyiv region. This weapon system, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has called "state-of-the-art," is reportedly capable of striking targets between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometres away, putting large parts of Europe within range, according to Moscow's military officials. Belarus is also believed to possess this missile system.
The Cost of Imperial Rivalry
The Oreshnik missile's first known use occurred in 2024 during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, marking its second year as one of the Kremlin’s most closely watched military projects. The recent offensive saw 90 missiles and cruise missiles, alongside approximately 600 drones, launched by Moscow. Among the sites damaged was the centrally located studio of German public broadcaster ARD, which sustained heavy damage and partial destruction from a massive blast wave. No employees were injured as the building was empty at the time of the strike.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the attacks as "abhorrent acts of terror" against the Ukrainian civilian population, asserting that Russia had reached a military dead end and was deliberately targeting city centres. Kallas called the reported use of the Oreshnik missile "reckless nuclear brinkmanship," highlighting the escalating danger.
Capital's Response: Arms and Condemnation
European leaders responded to the escalation with condemnation and pledges of continued support, which often translates into further military expenditure. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the attack a "reckless escalation" and reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron described the reported use of the Oreshnik missile as a sign of both the deadlock in Russia’s war effort and a dangerous escalation, adding that France would continue supporting Ukraine and "efforts towards a just and lasting peace."
European Commission President von der Leyen stated that terror against civilians was "not strength" but "desperation," and affirmed that the European Union would continue supporting Ukraine, specifically by strengthening its air defence systems. This focus on military hardware ensures continued demand for the arms industry. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss further pressure on Russia next week, indicating a reliance on state-level actions within the existing framework of international relations, rather than addressing the underlying drivers of imperialist conflict.
The pronouncements from European capitals, while condemning the immediate violence, consistently reiterate commitments to military aid and "strengthening air defence systems," thereby perpetuating the conditions that fuel the conflict and enrich the military-industrial complex. The stated goal of "just and lasting peace" is presented alongside the material reality of continued arms shipments and military support, revealing the inherent contradictions of managing imperial rivalries within the current economic order.