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Russian strikes kills four, damage Qatari embassy, Zelenskyy says, as he calls for 'clear reaction' against Russia
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has now also commented on the overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine, saying that at least four people were killed after 20 residential buildings were damaged.
A building of the Embassy of Qatar was also damaged in the strikes, he said, stressing that Qatar “does so much to mediate with Russia in order to secure the release of prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian prisons”.
He also accused Russia of conducting a “double tap” attack, with the second strike coming “precisely at the moment when first responders were providing assistance after the first strike”.
Zelenskyy said that the work was under way to “restore heating and electricity supply for the people”, with further meetings on this expected during the day.
He added:
“A clear reaction from the world is needed. Above all from the United States, whose signals Russia truly pays attention to.
Russia must receive signals that it is its obligation to focus on diplomacy, and must feel consequences every time it again focuses on killings and the destruction of infrastructure.
Today’s strike also serves as a very loud reminder to all our partners that supporting Ukraine’s air defence is a permanent priority. Not a single day can be lost in deliveries, in production, or in agreements.”
Morning opening: So much for Putin's intentions to end the war
Jakub Krupa
Russia said it had fired a hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a critical infrastructure target in western Ukraine on another night of heavy strikes which Kyiv said demonstrated a “grave threat to the security on the European continent.”
36 missiles and 242 drones were reportedly launched at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force statement this morning.
The attacks came just hours after a specific warning from the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said last night that “another massive Russian attack may happen tonight,” and warned that “the Russians haven’t changed one bit” as “they are trying to exploit the harsh winter weather” to disrupt the lives of Ukrainians.
Reuters noted that it is the second time that Russia has used the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile, which president Vladimir Putin has boasted is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound.
Moscow said the strike was in retaliation for what it claimed was an attempted Ukrainian strike at Putin’s residence, despite serious doubts about whether it actually took place. US president Donald Trump said recently that he didn’t believe the strike happened.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said this morning that Ukraine was in the process of informing the US, European partners and others “about the details of this dangerous strike”.
He added:
“It is absurd that Russia attempts to justify this strike with the fake ‘Putin residence attack’ that never happened. Another proof that Moscow does not need any real reasons for its terror and war.”
Sybiha also noted that Russia used the missile to strike targets near Lviv, about 50 miles (80km) from Ukraine’s border with Poland, an EU and Nato member.
“There needs to be more strong steps against Russian tanker fleet – and the US is right to take action here – as well as Russia’s oil revenues, schemes, and its assets. Not only in the EU but across the world,” he said.
The attack comes just days after the latest summit on the thorny issue of security guarantees for Ukraine in case of a peace deal, prompting further questions over Russia’s genuine willingness to strike any agreement.
Expect some strong reactions from across Europe and updates on the aftermath of the attack.
I will bring you all the key developments here.
It’s Friday, 9 January 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
