Explosions heard as Kyiv comes under massive ballistic missile attack
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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russian forces launched a large-scale missile attack on Kyiv overnight on May 24, officials reported.
Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported hearing what they described as a massive series of missile strikes on Ukraine's capital.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that several missiles were reported flying towards the capital around 12:30 a.m. local time.
Shortly thereafter, the Air Force issued warnings about a possible Russian launch of an Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile targeting Ukraine at 12:55 a.m., although the Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify if the weapon has been launched.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, reported at least four impact sites in thh Shevchenkivskyi, Dniprovskyi, and Podil districts of Kyiv.
No information was immediately available as to any casualties or damage caused.
The latest attack comes hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing a broader assault across the country, including for the possible use of its Oreshnik medium-range missile against Ukraine.
"We are seeing signs of preparation for a combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, involving various types of weaponry. The specified intermediate-range weapons could be used in such a strike," Zelensky said, warning citizens to remain vigilent.
Russia first used an Oreshnik against Ukraine in November 2024 in a strike on the city of Dnipro. The missile was most recently used in an attack on western Lviv Oblast on Jan. 9.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued a similar warning "concerning a potentially significant air attack" that may occur over a 24-hour time period. The embassy's warning did not specify what type of weapons may be used.
Earlier in the night, Russian attacks injured civilians in southern and eastern Ukraine, including in Odesa and Kharkiv oblasts. Explosions were also heard in Kyiv as Russian drones targeted the capital, according to Tkachenko.
