Massive Russian ballistic missile and drone attack killed 4 and injured 100; every district of Kyiv was damaged

Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine on the night of May 23-24, 2026, primarily targeting the capital Kyiv and surrounding regions. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russian forces fired approximately 90 missiles (including ballistic missiles such as the Oreshnik) and around 600 drones in a prolonged assault that lasted several hours. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant portion of the incoming threats, but falling debris and direct strikes still caused widespread damage across multiple districts of the city.

The attack resulted in at least four people killed and around 100 others injured. Strikes and debris damaged residential buildings, a historic market, civilian infrastructure, and other sites in Kyiv. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported impacts in every district of the capital, with fires breaking out in several locations. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the use of advanced Russian weaponry and described the barrage as one of the largest aerial assaults in recent months. This assault comes amid ongoing escalation in the conflict. Ukrainian officials had received prior intelligence warnings about the impending strike. The scale of the combined missile and drone attack highlights the continued intensity of Russian long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities, even as air defense systems work to mitigate the damage. Rescue and recovery operations continue in the affected areas.

Russia launched an Oreshnik missile at Kyiv Oblast in an overnight attack, Zelensky confirms

Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Russia launched an Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile at Kyiv Oblast during a massive overnight missile and drone attack on May 24.

According to Zelensky, the missile targeted the city of Bila Tserkva.

“(Putin) launched his Oreshnik against Bila Tserkva,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram after the attack.

“They're really insane. It's important that this doesn't go unpunished for Russia,” he added.

The strike marks the third known combat use of the Oreshnik missile against Ukraine and the first time the weapon has been used against Kyiv Oblast. Russia first used the missile in November 2024 during an attack on Dnipro, followed by another launch against Lviv Oblast in January 2025.

The Oreshnik is believed to be a sophisticated intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although Russia has not used it in a nuclear role against Ukraine. Some defence analysts believe it is an upgraded version of the Soviet-derived RS-26 Rubezh missile system first developed in 2011.

Earlier on May 23, Zelensky warned that Ukrainian, American and European intelligence services had detected preparations for a possible Russian strike involving the Oreshnik missile.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin said in November 2025 that Russia had begun serial production of the Oreshnik missile system.

Russian strike on Kyiv damaged museums, theatres, and cultural landmarks

Among the affected sites due to the overnight large-scale attack are the National Art Museum of Ukraine, the National Chornobyl Museum (which had recently reopened after renovation and suffered near-total destruction), the Taras Shevchenko Institute of Literature, the Ukrainian House, Zhytnii Market (a newly listed cultural heritage site), the Hinaus cultural space, and the Kyiv Small Opera housed in a historic building. Blast waves shattered windows and caused structural damage, though museum collections were largely reported safe.

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