English 
Large-Scale Russian Attack on Ukraine Leaves Four Dead, 83 Injured
Published: 24 May 2026 | Source: Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine National Police, Russian Defence Ministry, EU Foreign Policy Chief
KYIV — A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine leaves four dead and 83 injured after Russia fired 90 missiles and 600 drones in an overnight barrage that struck more than 50 locations across the capital and at least seven other regions, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday. Russia’s defence ministry confirmed it used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, a nuclear-capable weapon that travels at more than ten times the speed of sound and is impossible to intercept, for the third time in the conflict. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described Oreshnik’s use as a “political scare-tactic and reckless nuclear brinkmanship.”
What Happened
Ukraine’s air force reported that from 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Saturday, it detected 90 missiles and 600 drones. Early data indicated 55 missiles and 549 drones were shot down or intercepted, while 19 missiles may not have reached their targets Ukrainian Air Force statement, 24 May 2026.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was the main target. The attack struck more than 50 locations across the capital, according to Ukraine’s national police. Residential buildings, shopping centres, and emergency services buildings were hit.
In the central Shevchenko district, a nine-storey residential building was struck, causing a fire on the top floors. A strike near an air raid shelter at a school blocked its entrance with debris, trapping several people inside. The Chornobyl Museum in Kyiv was “effectively destroyed,” Zelensky said. A water-supply facility was also attacked.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people had been killed in the city, with 36 others, including two children, in hospital. Two further deaths were reported in the wider Kyiv region.
Russia’s defence ministry said it did not strike civilian infrastructure, claiming it hit command posts for the Main Command of the Ground Forces and the Ukrainian Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate. Ukraine has not confirmed this Russian Defence Ministry statement, 24 May 2026.
The Oreshnik missile — how a hypersonic weapon is reshaping the escalation ladder
The Oreshnik Missile
The Oreshnik hypersonic missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. It reportedly travels at more than ten times the speed of sound and cannot be intercepted by existing air defence systems.
Russia’s defence ministry said the Oreshnik was used in the strikes, which it described as retaliation for Ukraine’s “attacks on civilian infrastructure.” The ministry specifically cited a strike on a student dormitory in the Russian-occupied town of Starobilsk on Friday, which killed 21 people. Ukraine’s general staff confirmed it carried out an attack near Starobilsk but maintained it struck an elite Russian military unit, not a dormitory.
Zelensky had warned in advance that Russia was planning a large-scale attack and might deploy the Oreshnik. Ukraine’s presidential office later said it was not confirming Oreshnik’s use, stating work was ongoing to determine exactly what had been used.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the reported use of the weapon. Kallas said EU foreign ministers would discuss how to “dial up the international pressure on Russia” next week EU External Action Service statement, 24 May 2026.
Russia’s air war on Ukraine — the pattern of escalation and response
Regional Impact
Outside Kyiv, the regions of Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Zhytomyr also came under attack, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Zelensky said 69 people had been injured in the capital alone. The attacks occurred after weeks of warnings from Ukrainian officials that Russia was preparing a major aerial offensive.
Russian Attack on Ukraine 24 May 2026
How many missiles and drones did Russia fire?
Ukraine’s air force detected 90 missiles and 600 drones. Of these, 55 missiles and 549 drones were shot down or intercepted. Nineteen missiles may not have reached their targets.
What is the Oreshnik missile?
The Oreshnik is a Russian hypersonic missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. It travels at more than ten times the speed of sound and cannot be intercepted by existing air defence systems. Sunday’s strike was its third use in the conflict.
How many people were killed and injured?
Four people died in Kyiv and the surrounding region. At least 83 people were injured, including two children. Kyiv’s mayor said 36 people were in the hospital in the capital.
What did Russia say about the attack?
Russia’s defence ministry said it did not strike civilian infrastructure. It claimed the strikes hit Ukrainian military command posts and were retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a dormitory in Starobilsk that killed 21 people. Ukraine says it struck a military target near Starobilsk.
What was the international response?
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described Oreshnik’s use as a “political scare-tactic and reckless nuclear brinkmanship.” France and Germany condemned the reported use of the weapon. EU foreign ministers will discuss further measures next week.
Written by the Foreign Desk, drawing on Ukrainian Air Force operational data, Ukraine National Police reports, Russian Defence Ministry statements, and EU External Action Service communications. The desk has covered the Russia-Ukraine war since February 2022.