Nations Condemn Russia for Firing Oreshnik Missile

Russia's deployment of its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in an overnight attack on Ukraine drew international outrage on Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the firing, Euro News reports, calling it retaliation for Ukraine's strikes on civilian targets. The Ukrainian government has denied that allegation. The missiles are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, though there's no evidence that this one did. Reaction includes:

• Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the strike a "reckless escalation" in a post on X while reaffirming his nation's support for Ukraine.
• European Commission: The huge assault demonstrated "the Kremlin's brutality and disregard for both human life and peace negotiations," President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post. She said inflicting terror on civilians reflects "not strength" but "desperation."

• Albania: Reporting that the residence of the nation's ambassador to Ukraine was struck, per the AP, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha denouncing the attack as an unacceptable "grave escalation."
• France: In his condemnation, President Emmanuel Macron said the use of the nuclear-capable shows that Russia's war effort is stalled. He called the attack a dangerous escalation, per Euro News.
• European Union: Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also said Russia has hit a wall with its invasion and so is targeting city centers. She called the weekend attacks "abhorrent acts of terror" against civilians and the use of the Oreshnik "reckless nuclear brinkmanship." EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss further pressure on Russia next week.

• 'Goodbye to Kyiv': A resident of the capital said the assault was a turning point for her. "It was a terrible night, and there had never been anything like it in the entire war," said Svitlana Onofryichuk, 55, who has worked in the market that was damaged in the strikes for 22 years. "I am very sorry that I have to say goodbye to Kyiv now, I am not staying there anymore, there is no possibility. My job is gone, everything is gone, everything has burned down."