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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s parliament canceled a scheduled session on Friday as security was heightened following Russia’s deployment of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, marking a potential escalation in the nearly three-year conflict.
Overnight, Russian forces attacked the city of Sumy with Shahed drones, killing two people and injuring 12, according to the regional administration. The assault targeted a residential area, with reports suggesting the drones were equipped with shrapnel for maximum harm.
“This weaponry is designed to harm people, not infrastructure,” said Volodymyr Artiukh, head of the Sumy regional administration, as quoted by Ukraine’s Suspilne media. He noted that this was the first recorded use of such Shahed drones in the region.
Meanwhile, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský visited Kyiv, sharing a photo from the city’s railway station on his X account. “I want to understand how Ukrainians are managing under bombardments, assess Czech projects on the ground, and refine strategies for international aid,” he wrote.
In light of the missile threat, three Ukrainian lawmakers confirmed the cancellation of the parliamentary session. Government officials advised restricting activities in Kyiv’s central area, including commercial offices and NGOs, while residents were alerted to the heightened risk.
“The parliament’s closure isn’t unprecedented, but warnings have been issued to limit work and activity in the area,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev. Despite the risks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office remains operational under standard security protocols, according to a spokesperson.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, named Oreshnik (Russian for hazelnut tree). The missile reportedly struck a missile production facility in Dnipro and was said to travel at 10 times the speed of sound. Putin claimed that U.S. air defense systems are incapable of intercepting it.
The Pentagon confirmed that the missile is an experimental variant of Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile.
