Russia Kills 1 and Injures 21 in Kyiv Missile Barrage After Putin Orders Retaliation
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 24
Russia Kills 1 and Injures 21 in Kyiv Missile Barrage After Putin Orders Retaliation
12 articles · Updated · CNN · May 24
At least one person was killed and 21 injured in overnight strikes on Kyiv, with residential buildings, a student dormitory, a car service center and a shopping mall among the sites hit.
Kyiv's military administrator called it a “massive ballistic attack,” and Ukraine's air force warned an Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile had been launched after US and Ukrainian officials flagged an imminent strike risk.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 13 people were hospitalized, including three in serious condition, while a 15-year-old boy was among the wounded and eight others were treated at the scene.
Putin had ordered retaliation after accusing Ukraine of a drone strike on a dormitory in occupied Starobilsk that Russia said killed 18 children; Kyiv denied targeting civilians and said it hit military facilities, including a Rubicon drone unit headquarters.
The barrage came as Ukraine intensifies deep strikes, with Zelensky saying Kyiv recently hit military sites in occupied territory and a chemical plant 1,700 kilometers inside Russia.
Is Kyiv's new strategy of striking deep inside Russia a path to victory or a dangerous escalation?
As US air defense stockpiles dwindle, who will fill the gap to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian missiles?
Can Ukraine's cheap interceptor drones truly secure its skies against Russia's advanced missile arsenal?
Over 1,500 Drones and Missiles: The May 14, 2026 Russian Aerial Onslaught and Its Impact on Ukraine’s War and Civilian Life
Overview
On May 14, 2026, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, using around 800 drones in a rare daytime attack that struck about 20 regions, including Kyiv. The attack caused widespread destruction and resulted in at least six deaths in Kyiv. In response, Kyiv's mayor declared a day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and entertainment events canceled. This large-scale strike highlighted the severe challenges facing Ukraine's air defenses and had a profound impact on civilians, marking one of the most significant escalations in the ongoing conflict.