conflictSunday, May 24, 2026event May 2424 sources

Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv, Killing at Least Four

On May 24, 2026, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, resulting in at least four deaths and significant damage to infrastructure. The attack was in retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian and international officials condemned the assault.

Russia launched over 700 missiles and drones, including Oreshnik ballistic missiles, targeting Kyiv. The attack caused at least four deaths, with casualty reports ranging from 1 dead and 24 injured to 4 dead and 21 injured. Kyiv's mayor reported 1 dead and 24 injured, while Al Jazeera and RTE cited higher numbers. The attack included strikes on residential areas and infrastructure, with reports of 40 locations damaged. An air raid warning was issued across Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron and the EU's Kallas condemned the attack, which was described as one of the largest on Kyiv in recent memory.

Where Sources Diverge

The number of casualties varies between sources, with reports ranging from 1 dead and 24 injured to 4 dead and 21 injured.

anadolu

1 dead, 24 injured

scmp

1 dead, 20 injured

al-jazeera

At least four people dead, 40 locations damaged

rte

Four dead

bbc-world

Twenty-one injured

The use of Oreshnik missiles is confirmed by some sources but not others.

nyt

It was unclear if Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile had been used.

wion

Russia launches barrage of Oreshnik missiles

kyiv-independent

Russia launched Oreshnik missile at Kyiv Oblast

Timelines

Sources

IndependentKyiv IndependentMay 24, 09:26 PM
Ukraine war latest: Russia terrorizes Kyiv with massive ballistic missile, drone attack - The Kyiv Independent

Ukraine war latest: Russia terrorizes Kyiv with massive ballistic missile, drone attack  The Kyiv Independent

PublicFrance 24May 24, 03:29 PM
War in Ukraine: Russia launches massive missile strike on Kyiv

Macron, EU’s Kallas condemn Russian attack on Ukraine with Oreshnik ballistic missile.

PublicRadio Free EuropeMay 24, 03:12 PM
Russia Launches Massive Attack On Kyiv

Russia launched more than 700 drones and missiles across Ukraine overnight, killing at least two people and damaging homes and businesses in one of the biggest attacks on Kyiv in recent memory.

StateAnadolu AgencyMay 24, 02:17 PM
Russia says death toll from Ukrainian drone strike on Starobilsk college rises to 21 - Anadolu Ajansı

Russia says death toll from Ukrainian drone strike on Starobilsk college rises to 21  Anadolu Ajansı

PublicFrance 24May 24, 01:50 PM
War in Ukraine: Russian strikes hit a school killing one person

Gulliver Cragg is live from Ukraine.

IndependentKyiv IndependentMay 24, 12:57 PM
Russia launched Oreshnik missile at Kyiv Oblast in overnight attack, Zelensky confirms - The Kyiv Independent

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

PublicRTEMay 24, 12:45 PM
Four dead in Kyiv after Russian drone and missile barrage

Russia pounded Kyiv with a massive missile and drone attack that killed four people early today, authorities said, after President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 24, 12:22 PM
Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Kyiv kill at least four people

Two ​people are killed in ⁠the ​capital itself and two ⁠in the Kyiv region while 40 locations are damaged.

PublicRadio Free EuropeMay 24, 10:58 AM
Russia Batters Kyiv With Huge Missile, Drone Attack; At Least 2 Killed, Dozens Wounded

Russia pounded Kyiv with a barrage of drones and missiles, in one of the biggest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent memory. At least two people were reported killed and the death toll was expected to climb.

IndependentNew York TimesMay 24, 10:21 AM
Kyiv, Ukraine, Hit in Russian Missile Attack

Buildings rattled in the Ukrainian capital for hours early Sunday. It was unclear if Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile had been used.

IndependentWIONMay 24, 09:24 AM
Russia launches barrage of Oreshnik missiles at Ukrainian capital Kyiv after vowing retaliation - WION

Russia launches barrage of Oreshnik missiles at Ukrainian capital Kyiv after vowing retaliation  WION

PublicBBC WorldMay 24, 08:54 AM
One dead, multiple injured after Russia launches wave of strikes on Ukraine

Twenty-one people have been injured, including a 15-year-old boy, with damage reported across all districts of Kyiv.

IndependentSouth China Morning PostMay 24, 08:29 AM
Russian missiles pummel Kyiv in retaliation for dorm attack that killed 18

Russia pounded Kyiv with a large missile and drone attack early on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 20, authorities said, after Moscow threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Multiple rounds of loud explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital throughout the early hours of the morning. “Tonight Kyiv region is once again enduring a mass enemy attack with strike drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles,” said Mykola Kalashnyk, the head of the regional...

StateAnadolu AgencyMay 24, 08:26 AM
1 dead, 24 injured in large-scale Russian ballistic missile, drone attack in Ukraine, says Kyiv's mayor - Anadolu Ajansı

1 dead, 24 injured in large-scale Russian ballistic missile, drone attack in Ukraine, says Kyiv's mayor  Anadolu Ajansı

PublicDeutsche WelleMay 24, 07:59 AM
Missiles hit Kyiv after Russia vows retaliation

Russia struck the Ukrainian capital with a large ballistic missile attack, leaving at least one person killed.

IndependentLe MondeMay 24, 07:12 AM
Missile strikes pound Kyiv after Russia vows retaliation - Le Monde.fr

Missile strikes pound Kyiv after Russia vows retaliation  Le Monde.fr

WireAssociated PressMay 24, 06:45 AM
Russia pounds Kyiv with missiles and drones, shaking city center and injuring 10 - AP News

Russia pounds Kyiv with missiles and drones, shaking city center and injuring 10  AP News

PublicFrance 24May 24, 06:15 AM
Russian ballistic missile attack hits Kyiv after Moscow vows retaliation

A large Russian ballistic missile attack struck Kyiv early on Sunday, wounding at least five people and damaging residential buildings after Moscow threatened retaliation for deadly Ukrainian drone strikes in occupied eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian and US officials had warned hours earlier of a potentially significant assault on the capital.

IndependentStraits TimesMay 24, 05:07 AM
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv hit by massive missile, drone attack - The Straits Times

Ukraine’s capital Kyiv hit by massive missile, drone attack  The Straits Times

StateTASSMay 24, 03:54 AM
At least three series of explosions heard in Ukraine’s Kiev

An air raid warning is in place on the entire territory of Ukraine

WireReutersMay 24, 03:48 AM
Russia strikes Kyiv with massive missile and drone attack, killing one - Reuters

Russia strikes Kyiv with massive missile and drone attack, killing one  Reuters

IndependentKyiv IndependentMay 24, 02:22 AM
Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russia launches large-scale missile strikes - The Kyiv Independent

Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russia launches large-scale missile strikes  The Kyiv Independent