In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a massive wave of missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on Sunday, May 23. The assault, which began at approximately 6:30 p.m., has left a trail of destruction and caused numerous casualties across the city and its surrounding regions.
According to reports, the combined attack involved around 600 drones and 90 missiles of various types launched from air, sea, and land platforms. The human toll is sobering; at least four people were killed and more than 83 others injured. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that within the city limits, two individuals lost their lives and 56 were injured, with 30 requiring hospitalization.
The scale of the destruction extends beyond personnel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the strikes hit critical water supply infrastructure and triggered fires in several local markets. Additionally, dozens of residential buildings and several schools sustained damage, heightening the humanitarian crisis for residents of the capital.
Of particular concern to international observers is the Russian Defense Ministry's confirmation that the attack included the use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile. Capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, the Oreshnik represents a high-tier tactical asset. While there were no indications of a nuclear payload in this instance, this marks the third time Russia has deployed the weapon, following previous strikes in November 2024 and January 2026.
The strikes appear to be a retaliatory measure. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged that Ukraine had launched three waves of drone attacks against a school in the Luhansk region, causing heavy casualties. Putin asserted that the site contained no military facilities and subsequently ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to prepare retaliatory plans.
In response to these accusations, Ukraine maintained on Friday that its military strictly adheres to international humanitarian law and the customary rules of war, insisting that it only targets military installations. As of Sunday evening, Russian air raids were reported to be ongoing, with drones still detected within Ukrainian airspace, keeping the region in a state of high alert.
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Russia launches massive strike on Kyiv, uses Oreshnik missile
cgtn.com
