Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv on Sunday, May 24, 2024, killing several people and damaging buildings [1, 2, 3].
The assault marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, utilizing high-capability weaponry to target residential and government infrastructure in the heart of the Ukrainian capital.
Reports on the death toll vary across sources. The BBC said at least seven people were killed [4], while other reports cited four [1, 3] or one fatality [5]. Rescue workers are currently searching for about 20 people who remain missing following the strikes [6].
The attack involved a large volume of ordnance. Russia deployed hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles [3]. Specifically, reports indicate the use of the Oreshnik medium-range missile, a nuclear-capable weapon [3].
The strikes caused extensive damage to both residential and government buildings throughout the city [1, 2]. Ukrainian air-defense units attempted to intercept the incoming projectiles, but the scale of the barrage resulted in multiple casualties.
This wave of attacks is part of a broader pattern of Russian strikes targeting Ukrainian urban centers. The use of the Oreshnik missile represents a specific technical shift in the weaponry deployed during this phase of the war [3].
“At least seven people were killed”
The deployment of the Oreshnik medium-range missile is the most critical aspect of this attack. As a nuclear-capable system, its use in a conventional strike on a capital city signals a willingness by Russia to utilize its most advanced strategic weaponry to pressure the Ukrainian government and degrade urban infrastructure.
