On May 24, 2026, Russia conducted one of the largest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the four-year war, launching hundreds of drones and missiles, including an Oreshnik hypersonic missile near the Ukrainian capital [1]. Ukrainian officials reported that the hours-long overnight barrage resulted in the deaths of two people in Kyiv and two more in the surrounding area, with nearly 100 wounded [1]. The attack caused significant damage to dozens of residential buildings, several schools, and key cultural sites such as Kyiv's national art museum and philharmonic hall, as well as many other historic buildings in the city center [1].
The Oreshnik missile, described as an intermediate-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was used for only the third time against Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 [1]. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this strike hit Bila Tserkva, a city of 200,000 people located about 64 km from Kyiv's outskirts [1]. The missile's warhead reportedly split into 36 submunitions, as analyzed by Rollo Collins from the Centre for Information Resilience [1].
European leaders, including Britain and Germany, condemned the attack and labeled the use of the Oreshnik missile as an 'escalation' [1]. Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, accused Moscow of engaging in 'a political scare-tactic and reckless nuclear-brinkmanship' [1]. President Zelenskyy called for decisive action from Ukraine's allies, specifically naming the United States and Europe, stating, 'It's important that this does not remain without consequences for Russia' [1].
The attack also caused minor damage to Ukraine's cabinet building and Foreign Ministry, and destroyed a newly opened museum commemorating the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster [1]. In addition to the casualties in Kyiv, officials reported two deaths in the southern region of Kherson and strikes in other parts of Ukraine [1]. Despite the destruction, some businesses in Kyiv, such as a city center cafe, continued to operate to show resilience and support for the community [1].
CONCLUSION
Russia's large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, including the rare use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile, marks a significant escalation in the conflict and has drawn strong condemnation from European leaders. The assault resulted in multiple casualties, widespread damage to infrastructure and cultural sites, and renewed calls for decisive international action against Russia.