Russia recently deployed a new hypersonic ballistic missile during one of its most intense bombardments of the Kyiv region since the conflict began. It is an aggressive maneuver that resulted in at least four deaths. The attack also highlights a shift from drone warfare to the use of the Oreshnik, an intermediate-range missile capable of carrying multiple conventional or nuclear warheads.
As a result of its extreme speed and unique trajectory, this weapon is currently almost impossible for Ukraine’s existing air defense systems to intercept. According to CNN, it is a terrifying piece of technology, and this marks the third time Russia has utilized it in combat.
It’s also a stark contrast to the rhetoric coming from the Kremlin just a couple of weeks ago. Per the Kyiv Independent, on May 9, Vladimir Putin told the world, “I think the (war in Ukraine) is coming to an end.” At that time, he attempted to shift the blame onto Western nations, claiming that a “globalist wing of Western elites is fighting against us through the hands of Ukrainians.” It’s a bizarre claim to make, considering Russia initiated the full-scale invasion back in 2022.
Talk about History revisionism
Putin also claimed that the West got “stuck in this rut” and couldn’t find a way out. However, the reality is that Russia has been struggling to meet its objectives while suffering massive losses.
The situation on the ground has taken a dark turn since those comments, with Russia launching 600 drones and 90 missiles at Ukraine overnight. While the Ukrainian Air Force reported that they managed to shoot down 604 of these weapons, the sheer volume was overwhelming.
#PHOTOS
— Aamaj News English (@aamajnews_EN) May 24, 2026
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, said Russia used its hypersonic Oreshnik missile in a major attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, including Bila Tserkva, damaging homes, schools, a market and a water facility; at least four people were killed and more… pic.twitter.com/SInQRgPl8r
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, described the event as “one of the largest” attacks on the capital. He also noted that the specific missile used in this instance carried a dummy warhead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was blunt about the incident, noting that the missile landed near the city of Bila Tserkva. He stated, “They’re really out of their minds. It’s vital that this doesn’t go unpunished for Russia.”
Russia struck the Kyiv region with its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile overnight into Sunday, May 24, 2026.
— Dubon007 (@gdubon007) May 24, 2026
The broader assault unleashed 600 strike drones and 90 missiles, heavily targeting civilian areas and infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital#News
Regarding the scale of the damage, he added, “Unfortunately, not all the ballistic missiles were shot down. Kyiv suffered the most hits, and it was Kyiv that was the main target of this Russian attack.”
The international community has reacted with alarm. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, wrote in a post on X, “Moscow reportedly using Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles – systems designed to carry nuclear warheads – is a political scare-tactic and reckless nuclear-brinkmanship.”
Russia hit a dead-end on the battlefield, so it terrorizes Ukraine with deliberate strikes on city centres.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) May 24, 2026
These are abhorrent acts of terror meant to kill as many civilians as possible.
Moscow reportedly using Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles – systems designed…
French President Emmanuel Macron also took to X to condemn the overnight attack, stating that the use of the Oreshnik signifies an “escalation” in “Russia’s war of aggression.” Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled the move a “reckless escalation” and reiterated his country’s pledge to “stand firmly at Ukraine’s side.”
The Kremlin claims this massive barrage was a direct retaliation for a strike in the Russian-occupied town of Starobilsk. Putin accused Ukraine of a “terrorist” act, alleging that Ukrainian drones hit a college dormitory on Friday.
Les frappes russes se succèdent contre des objectifs civils en Ukraine, comme à nouveau cette nuit.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 24, 2026
La France condamne cette attaque et le recours au missile balistique Oreshnik, qui signent surtout une forme de fuite en avant et l’impasse de la guerre d'agression de la Russie.…
Russian state news agency TASS reported that the death toll of “children killed in the Ukrainian drone strike” had climbed to 18. However, Ukraine has consistently rejected these claims.
The Ukrainian military maintains that they only target “military infrastructure and facilities used for military purposes.” They specifically pointed to the destruction of a headquarters belonging to the Rubicon unit, an elite center for drone technology.
Russia hits Kyiv with hypersonic ballistic missile in ‘deranged’ attack
— Noxi (@June4th) May 24, 2026
Assault hits water facility, market, residential buildings and schools, killing at least four and injuring dozenshttps://t.co/JmBVpbwZmQ
For the people living through this, the reality is far more visceral than political posturing. Nataliia Zvarych, a 62-year-old financier, took shelter in a Kyiv metro station during the attack. She described the experience as a night of “horror.”
She told Reuters, “We walked under the explosions, we saw things flying up there. It was terrifying, scary, we have been sitting here for more than three hours now, listening to the explosions up there,” calling the entire event “horrible.”
Russia Hammers Kiev With Massive Barrage, Likely Including Oreshnik Hypersonic IRBMshttps://t.co/9Xrjh00RFn
— Chuck Nellis The Phoenix (@ChuckThePhoenix) May 24, 2026
It is clear that the diplomatic overtures Putin hinted at earlier in May, such as his supposed willingness to meet with Zelensky in a third country, have been completely overshadowed by this display of force. Zelensky addressed this directly on Sunday, saying, “decisions are needed from the United States of America, from Europe, and from others, so that this old curmudgeon in Moscow utters the word ‘peace’.”
I understand where he is coming from. After all, the jump from talking about the end of a war to launching an intermediate-range ballistic missile is a massive, dangerous escalation isn’t just a disconnect, it leaves the region in a very precarious position.
