Ukraine

Massive Russian attack on Kiev: 4 dead and 60 injured. Zelensky: Moscow launched an Oreshnik missile

Von der Leyen: 'New air defence aid coming to Ukraine'

24 May 2026

Un vigile del fuoco spegne un incendio causato dall’attacco russo su Kiev REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The toll of the massive drone and missile attack by Moscow's army on the Ukrainian capital and the Kiev region has risen to four dead and 60 wounded. This was reported by the Ukrainian authorities. The mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, said that two people were killed in the capital and 56 wounded. The head of the Kiev region said that two people were also killed and nine injured there. According to the Kyiv Independent, over 50 Russian missiles and more than 700 drones were launched towards Ukraine, targeting almost exclusively the capital region, in one of the largest Russian attacks in the past year.

The Kyiv Post spoke of a "possible launch of a Russian Oreshnik missile" towards Bila Tserkva, a town not far from the capital Kiev, "although such claims have not been officially verified". Numerous videos are circulating on X, shot from different angles, showing what appear to be multiple warheads of the Russian ballistic missile slamming into the ground. Several observers count six sub warheads, which in turn each split into six munitions, before falling with a loud roar. In one of the clips, voiceovers can be heard repeatedly, terrified, chanting the word 'Oreshnik'.

In the morning came the official confirmation: Russia used an Oreshnik medium-range missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, against Ukraine during a massive and deadly night bombing, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today. "Three Russian missiles hit a water infrastructure, a market was set on fire, dozens of residential buildings were damaged, several schools were destroyed, and he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) launched his Oreshnik at Bila Tserkva. They are really crazy,' Zelensky pointed out in a message on Telegram.

The Russian Defence Ministry also confirmed that Moscow had used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile and added that it was in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks against 'civilian facilities on Russian territory'. Moscow claims to have hit Ukrainian 'military command and control facilities', airbases, and military industry enterprises. It did not specify where the targets were located. Tonight the Kiev region was hit by a massive Russian attack

Ucraina, massiccio attacco russo su Kiev: edifici in fiamme

A state of air alert had been declared overnight across Ukraine due to the threat of Oreshnik missiles being used. 'Threat of use of medium-range ballistic missiles (Oreshnik),' the army warned. Earlier, a countrywide air alert had been declared after a MiG-31 aircraft loaded with air-launched Kinzhal missiles was filmed taking off in Russia.

Here comes the EU condemnation. "Russia, finding itself at a dead end on the battlefield, is terrorising Ukraine with targeted attacks on urban centres. These are reprehensible terrorist acts aimed at killing as many civilians as possible. The fact that Moscow is allegedly using Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles - systems designed to carry nuclear warheads - is an intimidating political tactic and a reckless gamble on the nuclear razor's edge. Next week, the EU foreign ministers will discuss how to increase international pressure on Russia'. So says Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy.

On the other side of the frontline, according to the latest reports, 21 people were killed in the attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on a university dormitory in Starobelsk, Luhansk People's Republic. Rescuers have recovered all the bodies from the rubble, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations told Tass news agency. "Search operations in Starobilsk, at the site of the collapse of the Luhansk Pedagogical University dormitory, have been completed. All bodies have been recovered from the rubble,' the Ministry of Emergency Situations said. As a result of the Ukrainian attack, 21 people were killed and 42 injured.

Von der Leyen: 'New air defence aid coming to Ukraine'

"The massive attack launched by Russia against Ukraine last night demonstrates the Kremlin's brutality and its disregard for both human life and peace negotiations. Terror against civilians is not a sign of strength. It is a sign of desperation. We stand firmly by Ukraine, with further aid to upgrade its air defence systems on the way'. Ursula von der Leyen writes this on X.

Meloni, firm condemnation of Russian attack. Zelensky: thanks for support

"I strongly condemn the heavy Russian attack that has once again hit civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, with the gradual increase in the level of weaponry used. Our solidarity goes out to the Ukrainian people, who have been suffering the dramatic consequences of this war of aggression for more than four years. We will continue to work with determination together with our European and international partners to facilitate the path to a just and lasting peace'. Thus Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement.

Following Meloni's words, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media: 'Thank you for your support, Giorgia Meloni!'

Merz: 'Total condemnation of Russian escalation in Ukraine'

"Last night, Russia launched a massive attack on civilian targets in Ukraine. Once again, the Oreshnik missile system was used. The German government strongly condemns this reckless escalation. Germany stands firmly by Ukraine'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz writes this on X.