conflictSaturday, May 23, 2026event May 2417 sources

Russia Launches Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile Attack on Kyiv, Killing at Least Four

On May 24, 2026, Russia launched a massive hypersonic Oreshnik missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, alongside drones and other missiles, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. Ukrainian air defenses failed to intercept the strikes, which targeted military installations and civilian infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the use of the Oreshnik missile, citing widespread damage to homes, schools, and government buildings.

Russia used the hypersonic Oreshnik missile in a mass attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region, according to multiple outlets including The Straits Times, Reuters, and The Guardian. The attack involved over 700 drones and 50 missiles, with at least four people killed and dozens injured, as reported by The Times of India and The Guardian. The strike hit the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, damaging residential buildings, schools, and a water supply facility. Ukraine’s air defenses failed to counter the strikes, as noted by TASS. Russia stated the attacks targeted military facilities in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, per The Times of India. Zelenskyy claimed the Oreshnik missile caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including schools and residential areas, as reported by The Times of India and The Guardian. The exact number of casualties and locations of strikes varied between sources, with The Guardian reporting at least four deaths and The Times of India citing two killed and 56 injured.

Where Sources Diverge

The exact number of casualties and the specific locations of strikes varied between sources.

guardian

At least four people died and dozens of others were injured.

times-of-india

Two people were killed and 56 injured.

ap

At least four people died and dozens of others were injured.

The number of missiles and drones used in the attack varied between sources.

times-of-india

Over 700 drones and 50 missiles.

guardian

At least four people died and dozens of others were injured.

Timelines

Sources

StateTASSMay 25, 11:58 AM
FACTBOX: Russia’s Oreshnik missile strike, breached Ukrainian air defenses

Ukrainian air defenses failed to counter Russian missile strikes on military installations in Kiev and the Kiev Region

WireAssociated PressMay 25, 05:23 AM
Russia strikes Kyiv with drones and hypersonic missile, in photos - AP News

Russia strikes Kyiv with drones and hypersonic missile, in photos  AP News

IndependentDaily Star LebanonMay 25, 12:07 AM
Hell: Russia Bombards Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles, Ukraine Reports Oreshnik Strike - The Daily Star Lebanon

Hell: Russia Bombards Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles, Ukraine Reports Oreshnik Strike  The Daily Star Lebanon

WireReutersMay 24, 09:52 PM
Russia hits Ukraine with hypersonic missile in massive Kyiv assault - Reuters

Russia hits Ukraine with hypersonic missile in massive Kyiv assault  Reuters

IndependentWashington PostMay 24, 05:10 PM
Russia’s overnight barrage on Ukraine includes use of powerful Oreshnik missile - The Washington Post

Russia’s overnight barrage on Ukraine includes use of powerful Oreshnik missile  The Washington Post

IndependentThe GuardianMay 24, 04:59 PM
Russia hits Kyiv with hypersonic ballistic missile in ‘deranged attack’

At least four people died and dozens of others were injured in the attack Russia used its powerful hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for a third time in Ukraine as part of a massive attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region that killed at least four people and injured dozens. Russia hit the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region with the missile, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He described a Russian assault that hit a water supply facility, burnt down a market, damaged dozens of residential buildings and several schools, as well as the Oreshnik missile strike. Continue reading...

IndependentTimes of IndiaMay 24, 04:19 PM
Watch: Hypersonic Oreshnik strikes in blinding flash as Russia unleashes massive barrage on Kyiv

Kyiv endured a massive overnight aerial assault, with Russia deploying over 700 drones and 50 missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik. The barrage, described as one of the war's most intense, struck government buildings and residential areas, causing casualties and widespread damage. Russia stated the strikes targeted military facilities in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks.

StateTASSMay 24, 04:05 PM
Russia uses Oreshnik weapon to strike Ukrainian military command posts

That was response to terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian military against civilian facilities located on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

IndependentThe HinduMay 24, 01:34 PM
Russia uses hypersonic Oreshnik missile in mass attack on Kyiv

The intense aerial assault damaged buildings across the Ukrainian capital, including near government offices, residential buildings and schools

PublicDeutsche WelleMay 24, 01:26 PM
Russia uses hypersonic Oreshnik missile in Kyiv attack

Russia carried out a massive drone and missile attack on the capital, Kyiv, and its surrounding region overnight, killing at least four people.

IndependentTimes of IndiaMay 24, 01:18 PM
Russia launches hypersonic Oreshnik & 3 other missiles in massive attack on Ukraine

Russia launched a large overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine, reportedly using Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal and Zircon missiles in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks inside Russia. Ukrainian authorities said two people were killed and 56 injured in strikes across Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Russia used the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, causing widespread damage to homes, schools and infrastructure.

PublicNPRMay 24, 01:12 PM
Russia uses hypersonic Oreshnik missile in mass attack on Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday Russia used the powerful hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile during a mass drone and missile attack on Kyiv on Sunday that killed at least two people.

WireReutersMay 24, 12:59 PM
Russia says it hit Ukraine with hypersonic and ballistic missiles, state news agencies report - Reuters

Russia says it hit Ukraine with hypersonic and ballistic missiles, state news agencies report  Reuters

IndependentFinancial TimesMay 24, 03:25 AM
Russia pounds Ukraine with hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’ missile - Financial Times

Russia pounds Ukraine with hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’ missile  Financial Times

IndependentKyiv IndependentMay 23, 08:53 PM
Zelensky warns of possible Russian Oreshnik missile attack on Ukraine - The Kyiv Independent

Zelensky warns of possible Russian Oreshnik missile attack on Ukraine  The Kyiv Independent

WireReutersMay 23, 08:31 PM
Russia preparing strike on Ukraine using hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile, Zelenskiy says - Reuters

Russia preparing strike on Ukraine using hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile, Zelenskiy says  Reuters

IndependentStraits TimesMay 23, 08:30 PM
Russia preparing strike on Ukraine using hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile, Zelenskiy says - The Straits Times

Russia preparing strike on Ukraine using hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile, Zelenskiy says  The Straits Times