Russia Launches Major Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv, Killing at Least Two
Similar Articles
Russia Launches Mass Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities
Russia Launches Drone Strikes After Ukraine Announces Ceasefire
Ukrainian Drone Strike on Russia Kills Four, Wounds Dozens
Major Drone Barrage Hits Ukraine as War's Pace Shifts
Russia and Ukraine Announce Separate Ceasefires Amid Intense Cross-Border Strikes
Russia conducted a large-scale drone and missile attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, killing at least two people and damaging dozens of locations. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the majority of the incoming weapons, but the strike included the third-ever use of Russia's advanced Oreshnik hypersonic missile. The attack comes amid escalating retaliatory strikes between the two nations.
Facts First
- Russia launched a combined attack of 600 drones and 90 missiles on Kyiv and the Kyiv region.
- Ukrainian air defenses destroyed or jammed 549 drones and 55 missiles, with approximately 19 more failing to reach targets.
- The strike included the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, its third use in the war, which struck the city of Bila Tserkva.
- At least two people were killed and 56 injured, with damage reported in 40 locations across Kyiv, including a residential building and a school.
- Russia's Defense Ministry stated the attack targeted Ukrainian military facilities in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
What Happened
On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Russia conducted a mass drone and missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine. The combined attack included 600 strike drones and 90 air, sea, and ground-launched missiles. Ukrainian air defenses destroyed or jammed 549 drones and 55 missiles, while approximately 19 missiles failed to reach their targets. The attack killed at least two people and injured 56, based on preliminary figures. Damage was reported in 40 locations across several districts of Kyiv, including a five-story residential building in the Shevchenko district that was hit, causing a fire and one death. A school building was also damaged while people were sheltering inside. The Kyiv regional governor reported damage in multiple communities throughout the region.
Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the attack, stating it used the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile and other missile types to strike Ukrainian 'military command and control facilities,' air bases, and military industrial enterprises. This marks the third time the Oreshnik has been used in the four-year war; it was first used on Dnipro in November 2024 and a second time in the Lviv region in January. The Oreshnik missile, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. President Vladimir Putin stated the Oreshnik travels at Mach 10 and can destroy underground bunkers.
Why this matters to you
This escalation demonstrates the continued vulnerability of civilian areas to advanced weaponry in the ongoing conflict. The use of a hypersonic missile capable of penetrating deep bunkers may signal a shift in Russian tactics. For residents in conflict zones, even robust air defenses cannot guarantee complete safety, as evidenced by the casualties and widespread damage to homes, schools, and markets. The reciprocal nature of the strikes, with Russia citing retaliation for Ukrainian attacks, suggests the cycle of violence could intensify further, potentially affecting global energy and food markets.
What's next
The immediate focus will be on rescue operations and assessing the full extent of the damage. Russia's stated justification for the attack as retaliation suggests further military exchanges are likely in the near term. The repeated use of the Oreshnik missile may prompt Ukraine and its allies to accelerate development or procurement of countermeasures for hypersonic threats. The attack's scale and the high interception rate by Ukrainian defenses will likely be analyzed by both sides to inform future military planning.