Kyiv Reels from ‘Oreshnik’ Strikes as Ukraine Strikes Back Deep in Russian Territory
Kyiv, Ukraine — January 11, 2026
The war between Russia and Ukraine has entered a terrifying new phase this morning, Sunday, January 11, 2026, as the Kremlin deploys its most advanced hypersonic weaponry to cripple the Ukrainian energy grid.
Following a night of relentless sirens, Ukrainian officials confirmed that a new wave of strikes—utilizing the dreaded ‘Oreshnik’ hypersonic ballistic missiles—has targeted critical infrastructure near the Polish border and deep within the heart of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.
In retaliation, Ukrainian long-range drones have struck back, igniting massive fires at oil depots and residential districts in the Russian cities of Voronezh and Volgograd.
Headline Points:
Hypersonic Escalation:
Russia launched ‘Oreshnik’ hypersonic missiles at sites near the NATO-member Polish border, a move seen as a direct deterrent to Western allies.
Massive Power Outages:
Over two million civilians in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia are without heating and water as temperatures plunge below freezing.
Retaliatory Drone Swarms:
Ukrainian drones struck the Zhutovskaya oil depot in Volgograd and residential areas in Voronezh, resulting in civilian casualties and significant damage.
UN Emergency Meeting:
The UN Security Council has called an emergency session for January 12 to address “flagrant breaches of the UN Charter.”
Command Shake-up:
President Zelenskyy has appointed Kyrylo Budanov to head the Office of the President, signaling a shift toward more aggressive intelligence-led warfare.
As the conflict nears its fourth year, the “rules of engagement” are being rewritten.
The use of the Oreshnik missile, which travels at speeds that render traditional air defenses nearly obsolete, is a clear signal from Moscow that it is prepared to escalate beyond conventional limits.
While some Western intelligence sources suggest the missiles used in the latest strikes may have carried dummy warheads as a “demonstration of force,” the kinetic impact alone has devastated Ukrainian logistics.
In Kyiv, engineers are working “around the clock” to restore a crumbling power grid, but the mayor of Dnipro has already been forced to declare a state of emergency as public transport and communication networks fail.
On the Russian side of the border, the war is hitting home with increasing frequency. The governor of Voronezh, Alexander Gusev, reported this morning that the city suffered one of its heaviest drone attacks since the start of the “special military operation.”
A woman has been confirmed dead, and ten apartment buildings were damaged. The successful strike on the Zhutovskaya oil refinery in Volgograd further highlights Ukraine’s growing capability to bypass Russian air defenses and strike at the economic heart of the Kremlin’s war machine.
From this perspective , the Ukrainian resistance is being tested by a Russian strategy of “total darkness.”
The appointment of Budanov—a figure synonymous with daring behind-the-lines operations—suggests that Ukraine will not back down but will instead intensify its asymmetrical strikes inside Russia.
The global leadership is watching the Polish border with bated breath. The proximity of the latest hypersonic strikes to NATO territory suggests a deliberate provocation.
As the UN prepares to meet tomorrow, the question is no longer just about territorial gains in the Donbas, but whether the entire European security architecture can survive this “Hypersonic Threshold.”
