On May 25, 2026, Kyiv was subjected to one of the heaviest bombardments since the start of the conflict, with 600 drones and 90 missiles being launched at the city. Among the arsenal was the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The attack led to widespread destruction, with reports of fires and significant property damage across multiple districts.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko acknowledged the attack's severity, stating, "It was a terrible night for Kyiv." Emergency services were deployed to extinguish fires and assist the injured, with many residents seeking shelter overnight in metro stations. Casualties were reported in various parts of Kyiv and surrounding areas, with two fatalities confirmed in the capital alone.

The Ukrainian Air Force successfully intercepted a majority of the launched drones and over half of the missiles, but the scale of the attack caused extensive damage, including to cultural institutions, with the historical Chernobyl disaster museum now in ruins.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, urging for international consequences against Russia for its continued aggression. He indicated that the strikes targeted vital infrastructure, including water supply facilities, exacerbating the humanitarian situation as summer approaches.

This offensive marks the third recorded use of the Oreshnik missile since the conflict began, highlighting the ongoing arms race and the severity of military engagements in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. As the repercussions of this latest strike unfold, both local and international responses are being closely monitored.

The bombing reiterates the precarious security situation in Ukraine and the urgent need for enhanced defensive measures to protect civilian populations in conflict zones.