Overview
- The attack struck Kyiv in the night to Sunday, May 24, 2026, when Russia fired a combined wave of ballistic and cruise missiles plus hundreds of combat drones that set off air alarms and caused explosions across multiple districts.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj and Russian state media both reported that an Oreschnik hypersonic medium‑range missile was used, with Kyiv saying the warhead struck the town of Bila Zerkva near the capital.
- Ukrainian officials reported at least four people killed and dozens wounded while saying homes, schools, markets and the ARD studio in Kyiv were damaged; casualty and damage totals remain provisional as emergency crews clear debris.
- Ukraine’s air force said air defences intercepted the bulk of the assault, reporting around 600 drones and 90 rockets launched and claiming roughly 549 drones and 55 rockets were shot down, though those figures are provided by Ukrainian authorities and may be revised.
- Western leaders condemned the apparent use of Oreschnik and warned the attack risks dangerous escalation, with Kyiv and allied partners having issued prior warnings and independent verification of some technical details still pending.