Russia Hits Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles, Wounding 5 After Vowing Retaliation for 18 Deaths
Updated
Updated · FRANCE 24 English · May 24
Russia Hits Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles, Wounding 5 After Vowing Retaliation for 18 Deaths
14 articles · Updated · FRANCE 24 English · May 24
At least five people were wounded and residential buildings were damaged in at least four Kyiv locations early Sunday as a large Russian ballistic missile attack struck the capital.
The barrage came hours after Moscow threatened "inevitable and severe punishment" over a Ukrainian drone strike on Starobilsk in occupied Lugansk that Russia says killed 18 and wounded 42.
Kyiv officials said Shevchenkivsky, Dniprovsky and Podilsky districts were hit, with fires reported and a parallel drone attack still underway as residents sheltered in metro stations.
Volodymyr Zelensky and the US embassy had warned on Saturday of a potentially significant combined strike on Kyiv, including possible use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile.
The attack extends a cycle of escalating long-range strikes as Ukraine expands drone attacks on Russian-held and Russian territory and US-led peace efforts lose momentum.
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.