Macron EU Condemn Russian Attack on Ukraine with Oreshnik Missile
· news
Macron, EU’s Kallas Condemn Russian Attack on Ukraine with Oreshnik Ballistic Missile
The latest salvo from Moscow has left Kyiv reeling, with at least four dead and dozens injured in a coordinated drone and missile attack on Sunday morning. The use of an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile – capable of carrying a nuclear warhead – has sparked widespread condemnation from the EU and Ukraine’s allies.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has a history of using force to drive home a point, often emboldened by his own propaganda machine. This latest escalation is not just about intimidating Ukraine into submission but also testing the waters for what might be possible in the face of Western disapproval. The international community remains wary following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and ongoing involvement in eastern Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had warned that Russia was preparing a strike against Ukraine using the Oreshnik missile, citing intelligence from Ukraine, the US, and Europe to support his claims. This highlights the deepening divisions between East and West.
Putin’s penchant for brinksmanship has pushed tensions with Ukraine to new heights. Moscow sees Kyiv as a nuisance to be dealt with by any means necessary, as evident in the Russian military’s use of civilian infrastructure – including student dormitories in occupied Luhansk region – as legitimate targets. This callous disregard for human life is a disturbing trend.
Ukraine’s air defences did their best to intercept the incoming missiles and drones, but even they couldn’t keep up with the sheer scale of the assault. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko described a “terrible night” in the city, where at least 30 people were hospitalized and some damage was reported in Independence Square.
The use of the Oreshnik missile has raised the stakes in this conflict, which has been simmering for years. Poland’s decision to activate its military aviation during the strikes on Sunday was a welcome gesture of solidarity with Ukraine, but more concrete action is needed from Europe and the US.
As Zelenskiy put it: “Russia will have to pay for what it has done.” The international community is at a crossroads in this crisis, with Russia’s actions threatening not just Ukraine’s sovereignty but also global stability. It’s high time for Moscow to be held accountable for its actions and brought back into the fold of civilized nations.
For Kyiv, Sunday will be remembered as a night that could have been worse – if it weren’t for the bravery of Ukrainian air defences and the resilience of its people. The world needs to wake up to the reality that Putin’s Russia is not just a regional player but a force with global implications.
The question remains: will anyone be willing to stand up to Putin’s Russia as it continues to assert its dominance on the international stage?
Reader Views
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While the EU's condemnation of Russia's brazen attack on Ukraine is warranted, one can't help but wonder if this latest salvo from Moscow will have any concrete consequences for Putin's regime. The West has been hesitant to impose meaningful sanctions in response to previous aggressions, and it remains to be seen whether this time will be different. Meanwhile, the people of Ukraine continue to pay the price for Russia's territorial ambitions.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The Oreshnik's presence in Ukraine should raise serious concerns about Russia's ability to wield its military might without accountability. But one can't help but wonder if this show of force is also a ploy to test NATO's response thresholds. The alliance has been struggling with internal debates over Article 5, and Putin knows it. By pushing the envelope on Ukraine, he may be trying to expose divisions within the West rather than genuinely seeking military superiority. The real question is whether EU leaders will stand firm in their collective condemnation or cave to diplomatic pressure from Moscow.
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The latest escalation in Ukraine is a stark reminder of Putin's calculation: that a show of force, however brutal, can reset the terms of the conflict. But what about the EU's collective response? While Macron and Kallas have condemned the attack, Brussels has yet to outline concrete measures to bolster Kyiv's defenses or pressure Moscow into compliance with Minsk agreements. The silence is deafening, particularly from Germany, whose economic ties with Russia are a double-edged sword in this crisis. Will Western unity hold, or will Russia exploit the divisions within?