Russia Attacks Kyiv with 600 Drones and 90 Missiles, One of the Largest Offensives in 4 Years

Central News Agency, Kyiv, May 24. Russia launched one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and its surrounding areas in four years today. In addition to deploying 600 drones and 90 missiles, Russia also fired the 'Oreshnik' hypersonic medium-range missile. According to Reuters and The Guardian, Ukrainian officials reported that the hours-long overnight attack killed two people in Kyiv and two in the surrounding area, with nearly 100 others injured. Authorities stated that dozens of residential buildings and schools were damaged, many located in the center of Kyiv. The Russian attack also caused minor damage to the Ukrainian Cabinet building and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, the National Art Museum and the Philharmonic Hall in the city center were severely damaged, and several historical buildings were affected. Rollo Collins, a researcher at the Centre for Information Resilience, reviewed attack footage and noted that the Oreshnik warhead appeared to split into 36 submunitions. Ukraine stated that Russia launched a total of 600 drones and 90 missiles, 36 of which were ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out that Russia deliberately attacked water supply facilities, intending to destroy the system before the peak summer water usage period. Before this attack, President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of striking a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region, causing multiple deaths, and ordered the military to retaliate. Ukraine denied the accusation, stating they targeted an elite drone command unit. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas condemned the use of the Oreshnik missile, calling it a 'reckless escalation' and 'heinous terrorism.'