Russia Launches Second Consecutive Day of Large-Scale Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukraine – May 2026

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Corroborating source

Massive Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv over the weekend caused significant casualties and structural damage to buildings in the city centre, with residents describing it as the worst night of the year. Air defence systems reportedly repelled much of the attack. The strikes have ongoing implications for War Risk and Property books with exposure in Ukraine.

Rescue teams are still working to stabilise buildings in Kyiv after massive Russian strikes over the weekend. Residents described it as the worst night of the year so far, with a high number of casualties. According to our correspondent Gulliver Cragg, the attacks appeared to target the city centre but were largely repelled thanks to air defence systems.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a new violent attack on Ukraine using Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, resulting in casualties including deaths and dozens of wounded.

شنت روسيا أحدث هجوم عنيف على أوكرانيا مستخدمة صواريخ أوريشنيك المتوسطة المدى القادرة على حمل رؤوس نووية، مما أسفر عن سقوط قتلى وعشرات من الجرحى.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia conducted a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region on 24 May 2026, deploying the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for the third time in Ukraine. The strike hit Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. Damage was reported to a water supply facility, a market, dozens of residential buildings, several schools, and other civilian infrastructure.

Russia hit the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region with the missile, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He described a Russian assault that hit a water supply facility, burned down a market, damaged dozens of residential buildings and several schools, as well as the Oreshnik missile strike.

Source: The Guardian World (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine on 24 May 2026, deploying 600 drones and 90 missiles including an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The strike targeted Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. French President Macron and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attack, describing it as escalation and nuclear coercion. Russia claimed it targeted only military objectives. This marks the third known use of the Oreshnik system against Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

Russia launched 600 drones and 90 missiles in its attack, one of which was an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Russia's Defense Ministry later confirmed use of the Oreshnik nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles to strike Ukraine on the night of Saturday/Sunday, insisting the attack was limited to military targets.

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat (Arabic) (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a massive missile strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, using an Oreshnik ballistic missile. The attack was condemned by French President Macron and EU foreign policy chief Kallas. The strike is part of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with additional Russian strikes reported hitting a school and killing one person on the same day.

Macron, EU's Kallas condemn Russian attack on Ukraine with Oreshnik ballistic missile.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russian forces conducted strikes on Ukraine, hitting a school and killing at least one person. The attack is part of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with reporting from France 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg live from Ukraine.

War in Ukraine: Russian strikes hit a school killing one person

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia conducted a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, deploying drones, ballistic missiles, and a hypersonic Oreshnik missile. The strike killed at least four people and damaged residential buildings. Residents sheltered underground while emergency services responded to fires and structural damage above ground.

Russia pounded Ukraine's capital overnight on Saturday with drones and ballistic missiles, including a powerful hypersonic Oreshnik missile, killing at least four people and damaging residential buildings.

Source: Al Jazeera (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas on May 24, 2026, killing at least four people and wounding more than 60. The attack involved approximately 600 drones and 90 missiles, including a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile. Ukrainian air defences intercepted the majority of projectiles. Damage was recorded across 40 locations in Kyiv, affecting residential buildings, offices, metro infrastructure, and public spaces. The attack was framed as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike on a college dormitory in Russian-occupied Starobilsk in the Luhansk region.

Russia has hit Kyiv and its surrounding areas with a large missile and drone attack, killing four people and wounding more than 60, Ukrainian authorities say. The attack included 600 drones and 90 air-, sea- and ground-launched missiles. Damage was recorded in 40 locations across several districts of the capital, including residential buildings.

Source: Al Jazeera (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a large-scale wave of missile and drone strikes on Kyiv on 24 May 2026, killing one person and injuring 21 others. Explosions were reported across all districts of the capital, damaging residential buildings, a school, warehouses, a supermarket and a shopping centre. The strikes were framed as retaliation by Putin following Ukraine's attack near Starobilsk in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, where 18 people were reportedly killed. Ukrainian authorities warned that further launches remained possible, including potential use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

Russia launched a large wave of missile and drones strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Explosions were heard across the city, with mayor Vitali Klitschko writing on Telegram that damage has been reported in all districts, including residential buildings and school.

Source: BBC World (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

A large Russian ballistic missile attack struck residential buildings in Kyiv, killing at least one person and wounding others. The strike followed prior Ukrainian and American warnings of an imminent hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile attack, reportedly in retaliation for shelling of Luhansk.

هزت انفجارات قوية كييف إثر هجوم صاروخي باليستي روسي ضخم استهدف مباني سكنية، ما أوقع قتيلا على الأقل وسط تحذيرات أوكرانية وأمريكية مسبقة من ضربة وشيكة بالصاروخ الفرط صوتي 'أوريشنيك' ردا على قصف لوغانسك.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russian armed forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, resulting in at least 1 fatality and 21 injuries. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the casualties, noting that large explosions were heard across the city and fires broke out in multiple locations. The attack continued from midnight local time.

Ukrayna'nın başkenti Kiev'in belediye başkanı Vitaliy Kliçko, Rus ordusunun kente gece yarısından beri sürdürdüğü hava saldırıları sonucu bir kişinin yaşamını yitirdiğini, 21 kişinin yaralandığını bildirdi.

Source: Anadolu Agency (Turkish) (Wire Service) · View source

Corroborating source

A large Russian ballistic missile attack targeted residential buildings in Kyiv, resulting in at least one fatality and multiple injuries. The strike followed prior Ukrainian and American warnings of an imminent hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile strike, purportedly in retaliation for shelling of Luhansk.

هزت انفجارات قوية كييف إثر هجوم صاروخي باليستي روسي ضخم استهدف مباني سكنية، ما أوقع قتيلا على الأقل وسط تحذيرات أوكرانية وأمريكية مسبقة من ضربة وشيكة بالصاروخ الفرط صوتي 'أوريشنيك' ردا على قصف لوغانسك.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv on Sunday, May 24, 2026, causing multiple explosions across the Ukrainian capital. At least ten people were injured. A school was hit in the Shevchenkivsky district, and the entrance to a bomb shelter was blocked by nearby shelling. Air raid alerts were activated nationwide. The attack came days after a deadly Ukrainian strike on a college in Russian-occupied territory, which President Putin had vowed to retaliate against. Prior to the attack, both President Zelensky and the US Embassy had warned of an imminent large-scale Russian strike, potentially involving the Oreshnik missile.

العاصمة حاليا هدف لهجوم صاروخي ضخم من العدو. ابقوا في الملاجئ! (The capital is currently the target of a massive enemy missile attack. Stay in shelters!)

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat (Arabic) (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Powerful explosions struck Kyiv following a large-scale Russian ballistic missile attack targeting residential buildings. The strike came amid prior Ukrainian and US warnings of an imminent hypersonic 'Oreshnik' missile attack, reportedly in retaliation for shelling of Luhansk.

هزت انفجارات قوية كييف إثر هجوم صاروخي باليستي روسي ضخم استهدف مباني سكنية، وسط تحذيرات أوكرانية وأمريكية مسبقة من ضربة وشيكة بالصاروخ الفرط صوتي 'أوريشنيك' ردا على قصف لوغانسك.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

After four years of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has significantly improved its air defence capabilities against Russian aerial attacks. Ukraine is deploying a combination of AI-driven systems and interceptor technologies to counter drone and missile threats. This ongoing conflict context reflects a sustained pattern of aerial bombardment and defensive adaptation that has material implications for war risk and property insurance across the Ukrainian theatre.

After four years of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has become far more successful at fighting off air raids.

Source: BBC World (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

On May 14, 2026, Russian drones struck a UN humanitarian convoy twice in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine while it was delivering aid to civilians. Russian military bloggers posted footage of the attack before deleting it shortly after. The incident represents a deliberate targeting of humanitarian aid workers and protected UN personnel during active conflict.

Russian drones twice targeted a UN humanitarian mission tasked with delivering aid to civilians in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson on May 14. In the hours following the strike, Russian military bloggers published footage of the attack, only to delete it shortly after.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a large-scale nighttime barrage involving more than 500 drones and missiles targeting eight regions of Ukraine. The city of Dnipro was the hardest hit, with over two dozen civilians wounded, including three children. Local Ukrainian authorities confirmed the casualty figures. The attack represents one of the larger single-night drone barrages of the ongoing conflict.

Russia targeted eight regions of Ukraine in its latest nighttime drone and missile barrage, with local authorities reporting that the strikes wounded more than two dozen civilians, including three children. The city of Dnipro bore the brunt of the attack, which saw more than 500 hundred drones launched against the central region of the country.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched hundreds of drones and nearly two dozen missiles at Ukraine overnight, wounding more than 30 people in Odesa and Dnipro. A Russian drone struck a Chinese cargo ship in the Black Sea, one day before a scheduled Putin-Xi meeting in Beijing. Ukraine retaliated with its largest overnight drone attack on Moscow in over a year, killing at least four people in Russia.

A Russian drone also hit a Chinese cargo ship in the Black Sea, a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing. At least four died in Russia following Ukraine's biggest overnight drone attack on Moscow in more than a year.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack involving hundreds of drones and nearly two dozen missiles against Ukraine, striking two civilian ships in the Black Sea near the Odesa region. The vessels targeted included one flagged under the Marshall Islands and another under Guinea-Bissau. More than 30 people were wounded in the combined attack. The incident represents a direct strike on civilian maritime traffic in a key Ukrainian export corridor.

Russia launched hundreds of drones and nearly two dozen missiles at Ukraine overnight, hitting two ships in the Black Sea near Ukraine's Odesa region and wounding more than 30 people. The two civilian vessels hit included one under the Marshall Islands flag and another under the Guinea-Bissau flag.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Fighting continues in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine as negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv remain deadlocked, with each side holding firm to its demands. The conflict shows no signs of resolution as both military operations and diplomatic efforts proceed simultaneously.

تواصلت المعارك في إقليم دونباس شرقي أوكرانيا في وقت تصطدم فيه جهود التفاوض بين موسكو وكييف بتمسك كل طرف بمطالبه.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

The Russian-Ukrainian confrontation has entered what is described as its most intense phase in four years. Recent hopes for de-escalation following a brief three-day ceasefire, which ended last Tuesday, have been dashed as hostilities resumed at heightened intensity. The article frames the situation around the concept of 'taking the battle to the aggressor's territory,' suggesting a potential shift in Ukrainian strategy. The trajectory of the conflict points toward further escalation rather than negotiation.

دخلت المواجهة الروسية الأوكرانية فصلا ميدانيا يوصف بأنه الأعنف خلال 4 أعوام، لتبدد ساعات الرعب الأخيرة كل آمال التهدئة التي أحيتها استراحة الأيام الثلاثة القصيرة المنتهية الثلاثاء الماضي.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Ukraine using drones and missiles, targeting the southern city of Odesa and Dnipro in the southeast of the country. Ukrainian officials confirmed the strikes. The attacks represent a continuation of Russia's aerial campaign against Ukrainian urban and infrastructure targets.

روسيا شنت هجمات خلال الليل على أوكرانيا باستخدام مسيرات وصواريخ استهدفت مدينة أوديسا في الجنوب ودنيبرو بجنوب شرق البلاد

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat (Arabic) (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russian military air strikes over the past week have killed 52 people and wounded 346 across Ukraine. The statement highlights the ongoing intensity of Russian aerial bombardment of Ukrainian territory. The attacks represent a continuation of sustained Russian missile and drone strike campaigns against Ukrainian civilian and military targets.

Ukrayna Devlet Başkanı Volodimir Zelenskiy, Rus ordusunun son bir haftada ülkesine düzenlediği hava saldırıları sonucu 52 kişinin hayatını kaybettiğini ve 346 kişinin yaralandığını bildirdi.

Source: Anadolu Agency (Turkish) (Wire Service) · View source

Corroborating source

Ukrainian drones launched an intensive attack on the suburbs of Moscow, resulting in the deaths of three people. Russian air defences intercepted and shot down 52 of the drones. The attack occurred in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, reportedly following a ceasefire announcement.

شهدت ضواحي موسكو هجمات مكثفة بمسيّرات أوكرانية أسفرت عن مقتل 3 أشخاص، وأسقطت الدفاعات الروسية 52 منها.

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Ukraine conducted a massive overnight drone attack involving more than 500 drones targeting Russia, with Russian air defences intercepting the drones across 14 regions and the annexed Crimean peninsula. Three people were killed in the Moscow region. The scale of the attack represents one of the largest Ukrainian drone strikes of the conflict to date.

Russian air defences intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones in a massive overnight attack that killed three people in the Moscow region, authorities said Sunday. The interceptions took place across Russia's 14 regions, as well as the annexed Crimean peninsula.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

A drone attack struck the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, killing at least 3 people according to the local regional governor. The attack is suspected to be a retaliatory strike by Ukrainian forces following a Russian attack on Kyiv on 14 May 2026 that killed 24 people. The incident represents an escalation of drone warfare targeting Russian territory near its capital.

ロシアの首都モスクワ郊外で無人機による攻撃があり、地元の州知事は、これまでに3人が死亡したと明らかにしました。ロシアが軍事侵攻を続けるウクライナの首都キーウでは今月14日にかけての攻撃で24人が死亡しており、ウクライナ軍による報復の可能性があります。

Source: NHK News (Japanese) (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack struck the Moscow region, killing three people according to Russian authorities. In a reciprocal exchange, Russian drone strikes and shelling overnight injured eight people in Ukraine according to local officials. The incident reflects ongoing mutual aerial bombardment between the two nations in the continuing conflict.

Large-scale Ukrainian drone attack kills three in Moscow region, says Russia. In Ukraine, local officials report eight injured in overnight Russian drone strikes and shelling.

Source: BBC World (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

A Russian missile strike on a residential apartment building in Kyiv killed 24 people, including three children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the site and vowed retribution against Russia. The strike caused structural collapse of the housing block, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy promised retribution against Russia on Friday after laying red roses at the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building where a Russian missile strike killed 24 people, including three children.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine have returned to military escalation at a pace described as the most intense since the war began approximately four years ago. The renewed fighting comes after Russia had signalled the war might be nearing an end. The situation represents a significant deterioration in the conflict dynamics on the front lines.

عاد البلدان المتحاربان إلى التصعيد العسكري، لكن بوتيرة وصفت بأنها الأعنف منذ بدء الحرب قبل نحو 4 سنوات

Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Russia has launched strikes against Kyiv while its military advance in eastern Ukraine has slowed significantly. Ukraine has successfully disrupted Russian supply lines, preventing arms and fuel from reaching the front line. The conflict continues with active missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities alongside a grinding ground campaign in the east.

Ukraine has prevented Russian arms and fuel from reaching the front line in a successful disruption campaign.

Source: Al Jazeera (Mainstream Media) · View source

Corroborating source

Ukraine launched a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting multiple Russian regions, including the Ryazan oil refinery, in retaliation for three days of Russian missile and drone strikes. The Russian attacks included a cruise missile strike on an apartment block in Kyiv on Thursday, killing 24 people including three children. The exchange of strikes represents a significant escalation in mutual long-range attacks between the two countries.

Ukraine has launched a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting several regions in Russia including the huge Ryazan oil refinery, after several days of massive strikes by Moscow against Ukraine... a cruise missile hit an apartment block on Thursday, killing 24 people including three children.

Source: The Guardian World (Mainstream Media) · View source

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Corroborating source

A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv has killed at least 12 people as of 14 May 2026. A residential apartment building was destroyed by missile strikes, with debris removal and search operations ongoing for missing residents. This represents an updated death toll from the second consecutive day of major Russian attacks on Ukraine.

ウクライナの首都キーウでは14日にかけてのロシアによる大規模な攻撃で、これまでに12人が死亡し、ミサイルによる攻撃で崩壊した集合住宅の現場では、がれきの撤去や行方がわからない住民の捜索が行われていました。

Source: NHK News (Japanese) (Mainstream Media) · View source

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Corroborating source

Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv in the early hours of 14–15 May 2026, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles over several hours. At least 10 people were killed in the assault. The attack further diminished prospects for a ceasefire as Russian forces continued their grinding advance in the east of Ukraine.

Russia pummelled Kyiv for hours early on Thursday, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that killed at least 10 people and further shredded hopes of a halt to Moscow's grinding invasion.

Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source

Initial Detection

Russia has conducted a second consecutive day of large-scale missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the assault. The attacks have killed at least eight people, including a 13-year-old child, and injured 44 in the capital. The overnight strikes followed heavy daylight raids on Wednesday described as one of the longest single attacks of the war. Analysts warn Moscow is attempting to overwhelm Ukrainian air defence systems through the widespread and sustained nature of the bombardment.

Russian missiles and drones are pounding Ukraine for a second day, as almost continuous heavy attacks hit the country, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of an assault that has killed at least eight people, including a 13-year-old, and injured 44 in the capital.

Source: The Guardian World (Mainstream Media) · View source