Russia Fires 100 Drones and 2 Missiles at Ukraine After Starobilsk Strike
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 26
Russia Fires 100 Drones and 2 Missiles at Ukraine After Starobilsk Strike
12 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 26
More than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles hit Ukraine overnight, the air force said, after Moscow warned Kyiv to brace for possible “systemic strikes” on the capital.
Russia cast the barrage as retaliation for Friday’s Ukrainian strike in occupied Starobilsk, which Moscow said hit a college dormitory but Kyiv said struck a Russian special drone unit headquarters.
Kyiv said the threat level for the capital had not materially changed, and EU, French and Polish missions said they were not leaving after Russia urged foreign diplomats and residents to evacuate.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine remains short of U.S.-made anti-ballistic air defenses because the Iran war has slowed expansion of supply, even as Kyiv works with Europe to build its own capacity.
The latest warning and strikes come as analysts say Russia’s spring offensive is faltering and Moscow may be using air attacks to offset battlefield setbacks and wartime economic strain.
Is Ukraine's new long-range missile a game-changer, or will it provoke an even deadlier Russian response?
Are Russia's hypersonic missiles and decoy tactics making advanced Western air defenses obsolete?
Can Europe's industry outpace Russia's missile production now that US interceptor supplies are critically low?
Russia’s May 2026 Aerial Onslaught: Unleashing 90 Missiles, 600 Drones, and the Oreshnik Hypersonic Threat on Ukraine
Overview
On May 23-24, 2026, Russia launched its largest aerial assault of the year against Ukraine, firing 90 missiles and 600 drones at multiple regions, with Kyiv as the main target. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 55 missiles and 549 drones, but some ballistic missiles broke through, causing damage or debris in 54 locations. Despite these defenses, 19 missiles missed their targets, and Kyiv suffered the most from the attack. The scale and intensity of this strike highlight both the growing sophistication of Russian tactics and the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine’s air defense systems.