Massive Russian Missile Barrage Rocks Kyiv in Heaviest Attack in Months

Russian forces launched a large-scale combined missile and drone attack overnight on May 24, targeting Kyiv and the surrounding region in what Ukrainian officials described as one of the heaviest bombardments in recent months. At least four people were killed and nearly 100 others injured as waves of ballistic missiles and Shahed drones slammed into the capital and outlying districts for several hours.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 90 missiles and 600 drones, of which 549 drones and 55 missiles were intercepted. Despite the high interception rate, 16 missiles and 51 drones impacted across 54 locations, causing widespread damage to civilian infrastructure.

Residential neighborhoods bore the brunt of the strikes. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage in every district of the city, with approximately 30 residential buildings damaged or destroyed in the capital alone. A market area, multiple schools, and a water supply facility were also hit.

Among the cultural institutions damaged were the National Art Museum, the Kyiv Opera Theater, the Ukrainian House, the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, and the Chornobyl Museum. The Foreign Ministry building sustained light damage — the first time since World War II that the building has been struck in an attack.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Russia deployed its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile during the attack — the third time Russia has used the weapon against Ukraine. The missile targeted Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. Ukraine’s air force said the missile was launched from Kapustin Yar in southern Russia.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized the strikes as “terror against civilians,” adding that the attack was intended to undermine morale ahead of any diplomatic settlement. European leaders condemned the bombardment, with several announcing emergency meetings to review further sanctions on Moscow.

Ukraine’s allies have faced renewed pressure to accelerate weapons deliveries and approve additional air defense systems for the country. Zelensky reiterated his call for stronger air defense coverage over Ukrainian cities, saying the current interception rate, while high, was insufficient to prevent civilian casualties.

Written by Carlos Mendez, Americas Correspondent