Russia has once again launched a deadly airstrike on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. On Sunday night, Russia targeted Kyiv with missiles and drones. The powerful attack shook the entire city. Several powerful explosions occurred near government offices, residential buildings, and schools.
According to preliminary reports from local authorities, at least 10 people were injured in the attack. Air raid sirens sounded throughout the night. Witnesses and journalists reported hearing extremely loud explosions in the city center. The attacks continued until sunrise, and officials feared that more missiles and drones were heading toward Kyiv.
Heavy damage in nine districts
Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv military administration, reported on Telegram that heavy damage was recorded in at least nine districts of the capital. Residential buildings were directly damaged. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, a school building in the Shevchenko district was hit by the attack. Greatest concern is the fact that people were sheltering in a bunker inside the school at the time of the blast. Several supermarkets and warehouses across the city were also destroyed. Regional Governor Mykola Kalashnik said several other areas around Kyiv were also heavily damaged.
BREAKING:
Russia just attacked Bila Tserkva in Ukraine with an Oreshnik Intermedium Range Ballistic Missile. pic.twitter.com/nddWzuPpjr
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 23, 2026Western countries warn of Oreshnik missile threat
Just before this devastating attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a bold claim. Citing US and Western intelligence reports, he warned that Russia was planning to use the hypersonic “Oreshnik” ballistic missile. Shortly thereafter, the Ukrainian Air Force also issued an alert for a possible “Oreshnik” launch. However, it is not yet clear whether this missile was used in the overnight attack.
What is Oreshnik and why is it so dangerous?
Russia first fired a multiple-warhead Oreshnik missile in November 2024 against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. It was then used again in January in the western Lviv region. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Oreshnik means “hazelnut tree” in Russian. The missile travels at Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound. Putin claims that this missile can reduce even bunkers three to four stories deep underground to rubble. It falls like a meteorite, and no missile defense system in the world can stop it. According to Putin, even armed with conventional warheads, it can cause devastation comparable to a nuclear attack.
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