Russia launches Oreshnik hypersonic missile strike on Kyiv in retaliation
On May 23-25, 2026, Russia launched a massive overnight strike on Ukraine, using Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon missiles, plus drones, targeting military facilities near Kyiv and elsewhere. The attack killed at least 4 and wounded over 100 in Ukraine, including in Bila Tserkva. It was retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike on a Lugansk dormitory that killed 21, mostly teenage girls. Ukraine responded with drone attacks on Russia’s Belgorod and Bryansk regions, killing two. The Oreshnik was used for the third time since November 2024.
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Kremlin Spokesman Peskov Says Ukraine War Enters 'New Paradigm' After Massive Air Strikes
On June 2, 2026, Russia launched a massive overnight aerial assault on Ukraine, firing 656 drones and 73 missiles, including eight Zircon hypersonic missiles—the highest number used in a single attack since the war began. The strikes hit Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv, killing at least 18 people and injuring over 100, including children. A 24-story residential building partially collapsed in Kyiv, with people feared trapped under rubble. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the conflict as entering a 'new paradigm,' justifying the attacks as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike on a student dormitory in Russian-controlled Luhansk. Ukraine claims the Luhansk target was a drone command center. NATO member Poland launched fighter jets to secure its airspace in response to the attacks.
Nachrichten - WELTRussia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv using missiles and drones, as reported by Die Welt on June 2, 2026. Professor Carlo Masala provided analysis on the situation, noting the scarcity of Patriot air defense systems and assessing Putin's strategy. Masala stated that Putin has not yet succeeded in his goal of wearing down the Ukrainian civilian population. The article highlights ongoing Russian efforts to target Ukraine's capital and the challenges faced by Ukrainian air defenses.
Nachrichten - WELTRussia threatens more strikes on Kyiv, urges foreigners to leave city
Russia announced on May 25, 2026, that it plans to launch additional strikes on Kyiv, targeting what it calls 'decision-making centres' and military-industrial facilities, and reiterated calls for foreign citizens and diplomats to evacuate the Ukrainian capital. This follows a weekend barrage of drones and missiles that killed four people and wounded dozens in Kyiv, including the use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The attack was ordered by President Vladimir Putin as retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a vocational school in Russian-occupied Lugansk that killed 21 people. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga dismissed the threats as 'Russian blackmail' and urged partners not to capitulate. The conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, remains Europe's deadliest since World War II.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kremlin-Linked Bloggers Mock Putin Over Hypersonic Missile Use in Kyiv Attack
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a major attack on Kyiv using Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, damaging 300 buildings including an ARD studio. While Western officials condemned the strike as nuclear saber-rattling, pro-Kremlin military bloggers mocked the use of the expensive missile, calling it 'very expensive iron in the ground' and a distraction from Russia's battlefield failures. Bloggers highlighted a catastrophic shortage of soldiers and drones at the front, corroborating ISW analysis that the strike aimed to demonstrate strength domestically and abroad. Ukraine has reportedly destroyed 17-37% of Russian oil processing capacity via drone attacks, causing fuel shortages. Russia's Defense Ministry framed the attack as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, while the Foreign Ministry announced further attacks on Kyiv.
taz.de - taz.deRussian Hypersonic Missile Oreshnik Draws Mockery and Ridicule for Putin
On May 25, 2026, Russia used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in a major attack on Kyiv, damaging around 300 buildings including an ARD studio. The attack drew Western condemnation, with EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas calling it 'nuclear saber rattling.' However, Kremlin-linked military bloggers also criticized the missile's use, calling it 'very expensive iron in the ground' and noting a catastrophic shortage of soldiers and drones on the front. The US Institute for War Studies (ISW) assessed that the strike aimed to distract from Russian battlefield failures and demonstrate strength. Meanwhile, Ukraine has destroyed 17-37% of Russia's oil processing capacity through drone attacks, causing fuel shortages. Russia's Defense Ministry framed the attack as a response to Ukrainian 'terrorist attacks,' and further strikes on Kyiv were announced.
taz.de - taz.deRussian Hypersonic Missile Oreshnik Draws Mockery and Ridicule for Putin
On May 25, 2026, Russia used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in a major attack on Kyiv, damaging around 300 buildings including an ARD studio. The attack drew Western condemnation, with EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas calling it 'nuclear saber rattling.' However, Kremlin-linked military bloggers also criticized the missile's use, calling it 'very expensive iron in the ground' and a distraction from Russian failures on the battlefield. The US Institute for War Studies (ISW) noted the strike aimed to demonstrate strength to domestic and foreign audiences amid significant Russian troop losses and Ukrainian drone attacks that have destroyed 17-37% of Russia's oil processing capacity. Russia's Defense Ministry framed the attack as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on civilian targets, while Ukraine reported further attacks on Dnipro and threats of more strikes on Kyiv.
taz.de - taz.deRussia Threatens More Strikes on Kyiv, Urges Foreigners and Diplomats to Leave
Russia has warned of new attacks on Kyiv, urging foreign citizens and diplomatic personnel to leave the city immediately. The warning follows a massive overnight assault on Sunday that the Ukrainian Air Force says involved 600 drones and 90 rockets and cruise missiles, including the new Oreshnik medium-range missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported 87 injured in Kyiv, including three minors, with around 300 properties damaged, mostly residential buildings. The Ukrainian military administrator described it as Russia's largest attack since the invasion began in terms of damaged locations, noting that historical architecture and memorial sites were deliberately targeted for the first time. Damaged sites include the Foreign Ministry building, the Chernobyl Museum, the Art Museum, and offices of ARD and Deutsche Welle, though no journalists were injured. Moscow stated that future attacks will target decision-making centers and command posts.
Nachrichten - WELTRussia Uses Nuclear-Capable Oreshnik Missile in Ukraine; Pro-War Bloggers Express Disappointment
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a major three-hour missile and drone barrage against Kyiv and surrounding areas, which included the nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile for the third time in the war. The attack, personally overseen by President Putin according to analysts, was billed as retaliation for a Ukrainian dormitory attack in Starobilsk. Russia used 600 drones and 90 missiles, with 16 missiles and 51 drones penetrating Ukrainian air defenses. The Oreshnik missile, carrying six re-entry vehicles each with six warheads, was used without nuclear or conventional warheads, causing damage only through kinetic energy. Pro-war Russian bloggers expressed fury and disappointment, calling the use of the expensive weapon ineffective and a waste. The attack was notable for its rapid, three-hour duration and novel tactics, including reloading launchers on-site and targeting air force bases first.
EUobserverRussia Uses Nuclear-Capable Oreshnik Missile in Ukraine; Pro-War Bloggers Express Disappointment
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a major air raid on Kyiv, using 600 drones and 90 missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile for the third time. The attack, personally overseen by Putin, was billed as retaliation for a Ukrainian dormitory attack. Ukrainian air defenses downed 549 drones and 55 missiles, but 16 missiles and 51 drones got through. The Oreshnik missile, carrying six independent re-entry vehicles each with six warheads, was used without nuclear or conventional warheads, causing damage only through kinetic energy. Pro-war Russian bloggers expressed fury and disappointment, calling the weapon an 'expensive piece of metal' with little visible gain. Ukrainian analysts noted the attack was exceptional in its planning and speed, lasting only three hours, with ballistic Iskanders and Zircons breaking through Kyiv's air defenses. The Oreshnik targeted Bila Tserkva, hitting a garage complex, while other weapons caused greater damage in Kyiv, including the Artem missile factory.
EUobserverRussia uses nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Ukraine; pro-war Russians disappointed with results
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a major three-hour missile and drone barrage against Kyiv and surrounding areas, personally overseen by President Putin as retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a dormitory in Starobilsk. The attack included the third combat use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, which carried no warheads and caused only kinetic damage. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 549 of 600 drones and 55 of 90 missiles, with 16 missiles and 51 drones getting through. Pro-war Russian bloggers expressed fury and disappointment, calling the Oreshnik an 'expensive piece of metal' with little visible gain. The attack featured unusual tactics including rapid reloading of launchers and simultaneous use of Kinzhal, Zircon, and Iskander missiles to overwhelm defenses. The Oreshnik targeted Bila Tserkva, hitting a garage complex, while other weapons caused greater damage in Kyiv, including strikes on the Artem missile factory.
EUobserverRussia uses nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Ukraine; pro-war Russians disappointed with results
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a major air raid on Kyiv, using 600 drones and 90 missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile for the third time. The attack, personally overseen by Putin according to analysts, was billed as retaliation for a Ukrainian dormitory attack. However, pro-war Russian bloggers expressed fury and disappointment, calling the Oreshnik an 'expensive piece of metal' with little visible gain. Ukrainian air defenses downed 549 drones and 55 missiles, but 16 missiles and 51 drones got through. The Oreshnik, carrying no warheads, caused damage only through kinetic energy. The raid featured a novel, rapid three-hour barrage with repeated reloading of launchers, targeting Kyiv and Bila Tserkva. Heavy frontline fighting continues with minimal territorial changes.
EUobserverRussia uses nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Ukraine; pro-war Russians disappointed with results
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a major three-hour missile and drone barrage against Kyiv and surrounding areas, personally overseen by President Putin as retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a dormitory in Starobilsk. The attack included the third combat use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, which carried no warheads and caused damage only through kinetic energy. Ukrainian air defenses downed 549 of 600 drones and 55 of 90 missiles, with 16 missiles and 51 drones penetrating. The Oreshnik was aimed at Bila Tserkva, hitting a garage complex. Pro-war Russian bloggers expressed fury and disappointment, calling the weapon an 'expensive piece of metal' with little visible gain. The attack featured unusual tactics including rapid reloading of launchers and sequential use of Kinzhal, Zircon, and Iskander missiles to suppress air defenses.
EUobserverZelensky Urges Allies After Russia's Deadly Hypersonic Missile Strike on Kyiv
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched a massive combined attack on Kyiv using 600 drones and 90 missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, killing at least 4 people and injuring over 80. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on world leaders for a preventive response, not just post-factum condemnation. EU foreign ministers plan to meet to discuss increasing pressure on Russia. Meanwhile, a report revealed that the UK, France, and other NATO members blocked a proposal for each member to contribute 0.25% of GDP to military aid for Ukraine. Russia claimed the attack was retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on civilian facilities, while Ukraine denied responsibility for a drone strike on a student dorm in Luhansk. Energy infrastructure was also damaged in a missile attack on Russia's Belgorod region.
The Independent WorldUkraine War: New Cross-Border Attacks Follow Heavy Russian Bombing of Kyiv
On May 25, 2026, Russia launched massive missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, particularly Kyiv, using nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles among others, killing at least four and injuring over a hundred. Ukraine retaliated with drone attacks on Russian border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk, killing two civilians. Russia described its attack as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike in Luhansk that killed 21. The Oreshnik missile, a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 3,000-5,000 km, was used for the third time. Belarus announced its deployment in December 2025. Both sides deny targeting civilians, and claims could not be independently verified.
taz.de - taz.deUkraine War: New Cross-Border Attacks After Heavy Bombing of Kyiv
On Sunday, Russia launched massive missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, particularly Kyiv, using nuclear-capable Oreshnik medium-range missiles among other systems. Ukraine reported at least four dead and over a hundred injured. Moscow described the attack as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike in Russian-occupied Luhansk that killed 21. In response, Ukraine attacked Russian border regions Belgorod and Bryansk on Monday, killing two civilians according to Russian authorities. The article also details the Oreshnik missile's capabilities, noting its hypersonic speed, 3,000-5,000 km range, and deployment in Belarus. Both sides deny targeting civilians. The information could not be independently verified.
taz.de - taz.deUkraine War: New Attacks in Border Regions After Heavy Bombing of Kyiv
On Sunday, Russia launched massive missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, particularly Kyiv, using nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles among others, killing at least four and injuring over a hundred. In response, Ukraine attacked Russian border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk on Monday, killing two civilians. Russia described its attack as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike in Luhansk that killed 21. The article also details the capabilities of the Oreshnik missile, a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 3,000-5,000 km, which Russia has now put into serial production and deployed in Belarus. Both sides deny targeting civilians, and claims could not be independently verified.
taz.de - taz.deUkraine War: New Attacks in Border Regions After Heavy Russian Bombing of Kyiv
On Sunday, Russia launched one of its heaviest bombardments of Kyiv since the war began, using 600 drones and 90 missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile. At least four people were killed and over a hundred injured in Ukraine. In retaliation, Ukraine attacked Russian border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk on Monday, killing two civilians, according to Russian authorities. Russia described its attack as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike in Luhansk that killed 21 people, while Ukraine denied targeting civilians. The Oreshnik missile, first used in November 2024, has a range of 3,000–5,000 km and can threaten most of Europe. Belarus announced its deployment on its territory in December 2025. The information could not be independently verified.
taz.de - taz.deRussian Missile Attack Rattles Kyiv, Ukraine
Early Sunday morning, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv experienced a prolonged missile attack, with buildings shaking for hours. Russia launched an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, marking only the third use of this specific weapon system in the ongoing war. The attack underscores continued Russian long-range strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure and population centers, as the conflict enters a new phase of aerial bombardment.
NYT > World NewsKyiv suffers one of the most intense Russian bombings of the Ukrainian war
Russia launched a massive combined missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Sunday, using 90 missiles and 600 drones in one of the largest airstrikes since the war began. The attack lasted several hours, damaged metro entrances used as shelters, and struck near Independence Square. At least 4 people were killed and over 100 injured. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed Russia used an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads, against the city of Bila Tserkva. The EU's Kaja Kallas condemned the attack as an 'alarmist political tactic' and 'reckless nuclear maneuver.' EU foreign ministers plan to discuss increasing pressure on Russia, including a new sanctions package targeting missile production and sanctions evasion.
La TerceraRussia launches massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing 2 and wounding dozens
Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, using the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, which has nuclear capabilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed at least two deaths and 83 wounded. The attack involved 600 strike drones and 90 missiles, marking one of the largest bombardments since the war began in 2022. The Oreshnik struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack targeted military command facilities and was retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian sites. Ukraine's European allies, including France, Germany, and the EU, condemned the strikes. The Oreshnik missile, which Russia claims is immune to missile defenses, has been used three times in the war. Air raid sirens blared through the night as rescue workers evacuated residents from damaged buildings.
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