Zelensky: Russia used three ballistic missiles with cluster warheads in attack on Kyiv

Three ballistic missiles with cluster warheads were launched at Kyiv during a wider Russian attack. One struck Pechersk, the city’s historic center. The location mattered because it was a civilian area between the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the Holy Vvedensky Monastery, rather than a reported military site.

The strike damaged monastery buildings, homes, stores, cafes, and other civilian infrastructure. Zelensky described the weapon and target area as deliberate choices intended to cause widespread destruction and civilian casualties. The article reports that no military facility was nearby, even in theory.

Air raid alerts and strikes continued across Kyiv during the day. The damage also formed part of a broader attack affecting many Ukrainian cities and communities. The report connects these attacks with continuing pressure on Ukraine’s civilian population, transport, energy systems, and local services.

A ballistic missile is a guided weapon that travels along a high-speed flight path toward a target. A cluster warhead is designed to release multiple smaller explosive submunitions rather than concentrating all its force in one place. This allows a single missile to affect a broader area.

The article says the three missiles used against Kyiv exploded in the air as they approached their targets. Zelensky said they could strike everything within a 400-meter radius. That description explains why nearby civilian buildings, homes, businesses, and other infrastructure were vulnerable even without a direct hit on each structure.

The reported use matters because the attack occurred in a civilian part of Kyiv. Zelensky called the weapon choice, target area, and expected civilian harm deliberate. The article also reports continued strikes elsewhere, including damage to a commuter train and energy infrastructure.

A cluster warhead spreads several smaller explosive submunitions or explosive effects instead of relying on one impact point. The source does not provide the number or exact pattern of submunitions. It does state that the missiles exploded in the air as they approached their targets and could strike everything within a 400-meter radius.

A 400-meter radius means the affected area extends outward in every direction from the explosion. It covers a broad circle around the point of detonation, potentially reaching homes, religious buildings, shops, cafes, roads, and other civilian sites. The article reports damage to all these types of places in Pechersk.

This wide-area effect helps explain the scale of risk in a densely built historic district. It also underpins Zelensky’s claim that the weapon was designed to cause widespread destruction. The report says attacks continued in Kyiv and other cities, while civilian and energy infrastructure remained under pressure.

The report describes a nationwide attack rather than an isolated strike on Kyiv. Russian forces targeted 12 regions during the night of October 22. The reported immediate toll was two people killed and 34 injured, showing the human cost of the attacks across multiple communities.

The damage included Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Marhanets, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and cities and villages in several regions. In Kharkiv, a commuter train was hit. The article also says attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector continued, with more than 170 strikes on critical energy infrastructure since October 11.

Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted a significant portion of Shahed drones and some missiles, according to Zelensky. Despite those interceptions, strikes continued throughout the day. The scale described in the report points to sustained pressure on civilians, transport, cities, and essential services, while Ukraine sought faster deliveries of agreed defense-aid packages.

When missiles hit civilian areas, the effects extend beyond the immediate blast. People may be killed or injured, homes may become unsafe, and businesses such as stores and cafes may be damaged. Religious and historic buildings can also suffer losses, as happened in Kyiv’s Pechersk district.

The article gives several concrete examples. A missile damaged monastery buildings, homes, stores, cafes, and other civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. A commuter train was hit in Kharkiv. More than 170 strikes since October 11 targeted critical energy infrastructure, threatening services that communities depend on. These attacks can also force emergency cleanup and repairs.

The report says alerts and strikes continued throughout the day in Kyiv and other cities. Ukraine’s friends were helping restore the energy sector, but Zelensky called for faster defense aid. Continued attacks therefore create both immediate danger and longer-term pressure on city services and recovery.

Air-defense systems protect cities and infrastructure by attempting to destroy or stop incoming missiles and drones. The article says a significant portion of the Shaheds and some missiles were shot down. That means air defense reduced the number of weapons reaching their intended areas, although it did not prevent all damage.

The report links air defense to Ukraine’s ability to protect civilians and essential infrastructure. Zelensky said Russia was taking advantage of a slowdown in deliveries of air-defense systems from partners. He instructed Ukrainian ministries and military leaders to explain the threats and actual situation to those partners.

Delays matter because attacks continued in Kyiv and many other cities. The article reports strikes on homes, transport, and energy facilities despite interceptions. Zelensky urged partners to expedite defense-aid packages already agreed upon, presenting faster delivery as an immediate need for protecting communities and restoring services.

Cluster weapons can remain dangerous after an attack because not every explosive submunition necessarily detonates immediately. Unexploded remnants may later threaten civilians, cleanup workers, and anyone entering the affected area. This general explanation goes beyond the article, which does not describe unexploded devices or later clearance.

The source does explain the weapon’s immediate mechanism. Zelensky said the missiles exploded in the air near their targets and struck everything within a 400-meter radius. One such attack damaged religious buildings, homes, stores, cafes, and other civilian infrastructure in Pechersk. The broad impact area complicates recovery because many sites may need inspection.

The article reports continuing alerts, strikes, and restoration work across Ukraine. It does not state how long the Kyiv area remained hazardous after the attack. However, damage to civilian buildings and energy facilities means communities still faced repair and safety challenges while seeking stronger air defenses.