Russia launched Oreshnik missile at Kyiv, 4 killed

Kyiv came under heavy bombardment after Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Russia launched its sophisticated medium-range Oreshnik ballistic missile at Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast during a massive combined missile and drone attack overnight on May 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed. Russia has boasted that the Oreshnik missile is a sophisticated, hard-to-intercept system capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though it has not been deployed against Ukraine in that capacity.The video circulating online shows a cruise missile striking central Kyiv.

Russia launched one of the largest air attacks of this war on Kyiv this morning.

More than 50 missiles and 700 drones were launched at the city.

This video shows a cruise missile hitting central Kyiv pic.twitter.com/D40DH3pWYE

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 24, 2026

Ukrainian officials said around 600 drones and 90 missiles were fired in the attack. Air defence systems managed to shoot down many of them, but not all, according to AFP.Four people were killed in the attack, and dozens were injured. Homes, schools, markets and business buildings were damaged across the capital and other regions. Explosions were heard throughout the night in Kyiv. Residents rushed to metro stations and underground shelters for safety as missiles and drones struck the city. A business centre and a nearby market close to the Lukianivska metro station were completely destroyed in the strike.

Apocalyptic scenes. Kyiv suffered one of its greatest attacks this night

Russia completely destroyed a business center and a market near Lukianivska metro. Including the cafe that reopened six times after Russian strikes.

RFE/RL pic.twitter.com/3hhErC3LMI

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) May 24, 2026

Russia's Defence Ministry on Sunday confirmed that it used the Oreshnik, along with other missile systems, to strike Ukrainian “military command and control facilities,” air bases and military-industrial enterprises, but did not specify the locations of the targets. Russia said the attack was a “response” to Ukrainian strikes on Russian-controlled areas.
The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, condemned on May 24 Russia's confirmed use of the Oresnik missile, calling it "a political scare-tactic and reckless nuclear brinkmanship." "Next week, EU Foreign Ministers will discuss how to dial up the international pressure on Russia," she wrote.