Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the war on Sunday, bombarding the Ukrainian capital and surrounding areas with hundreds of drones and missiles, including an Oreshnik hypersonic missile, Ukrainian officials said.
The overnight assault lasted for hours and killed four people, including two in Kyiv and two in the surrounding region. Nearly 100 others were wounded, while dozens of residential buildings, schools and cultural landmarks suffered damage.
Russian missiles, which appear to be the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, fly during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine in this screen grab taken from a video May 24, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the attack and called on international partners to respond.
“It’s important that this does not remain without consequences for Russia,” Zelenskiy said, urging action from the United States, Europe and other allies.
Oreshnik Missile Used for Third Time
The strike marked only the third known use of Russia’s Oreshnik missile since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The intermediate-range missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, reportedly struck the city of Bila Tserkva, around 64 kilometres from the outskirts of Kyiv. According to an analysis of footage reviewed by an investigator from the Centre for Information Resilience, the missile’s warhead appeared to separate into 36 submunitions before impact.
Residents walk in a street at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 24, 2026. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched a total of 90 missiles and 600 drones during the barrage.
Moscow said the attack involved Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal and Zircon missiles and was carried out in retaliation for what it described as Ukrainian strikes on civilian targets inside Russia. Ukraine denies targeting civilians.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said military command facilities, intelligence sites, air bases and defense industry infrastructure were among the targets.
Cultural Landmarks Damaged
The bombardment caused damage across Kyiv, including minor impacts to government buildings such as the Cabinet headquarters and the Foreign Ministry.
As reported in Reuters, officials said the city’s National Art Museum and Philharmonic Hall sustained significant damage, while numerous historic buildings in the center of the capital were also affected.
A firefighter works at the site of a fire after overnight Russian missile and drone attacks, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 24, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Kyrylo Budanov, one of Zelenskiy’s top aides, described the attack as an assault on Ukrainian identity.
“This is a war against our culture, memory, and identity,” he said.
Among the sites destroyed was a newly opened museum dedicated to the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Zelenskiy later visited the location and condemned the strike.
European Leaders Condemn ‘Escalation’
The use of the Oreshnik missile prompted sharp criticism from European leaders.
Britain and Germany described the strike as an escalation of the conflict, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Moscow of engaging in “political scare-tactic and reckless nuclear-brinkmanship”.
Zelenskiy also accused Russia of targeting water supply infrastructure ahead of the summer period, when demand is expected to rise.
Residents Endure a Night of Fear
Some of the heaviest damage was reported in Kyiv’s Lukyanivka district, an area north of the city center that is home to a missile manufacturing plant and has repeatedly been targeted throughout the conflict.
A shopping centre and nearby market were destroyed by fire, while around 30 buildings across the capital were either damaged or completely destroyed, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Thousands of residents sought refuge in metro stations as explosions echoed across the city overnight.
“It was terrifying, scary,” said 62-year-old resident Nataliia Zvarych, who rushed to shelter as the bombardment began.
Despite the destruction, some businesses attempted to continue operating. Staff at a newly opened café in central Kyiv were seen clearing glass and debris while serving customers the following day.
“Once the emotions die down a bit, we’ll think about whether to restore everything … or whether to work at all,” co-owner Yevhenii Prusak said.
The attack also caused casualties and damage in other regions of Ukraine, including the southern Kherson region, where officials reported two deaths.
