Putin Furious as Russia Rains 90 Missiles and 600 Drones on Ukraine

JAKARTA — Russia has launched one of the largest air attacks since the war began in 2022. Moscow is reported to have bombarded Ukraine with 90 missiles and 600 drones, including the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which is claimed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The massive attack struck Kyiv and surrounding areas early on Monday (25 May 2026) local time. Ukrainian authorities reported at least four deaths and over 80 injuries from the onslaught.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the night as one of the most terrifying for the Ukrainian capital. ‘This has been a horrific night for Kyiv. Rescue teams are currently extinguishing fires and clearing debris. Medical staff are providing aid to the victims,’ Klitschko said on Telegram, as reported by CNBC International.

Explosions were heard across the city from around 1am local time. The attack caused damage to dozens of apartment blocks, schools, offices, and public facilities. Windows at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry building were reported shattered by blast waves.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia had used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile for the third time since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The Oreshnik missile has a range of thousands of kilometres and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. In the latest attack, it struck Bila Tserkva, a city of around 200,000 people located approximately 64km from Kyiv’s outskirts.

‘It is crucial that this does not go unanswered,’ Zelenskyy said. ‘Decisions must be made by the United States, Europe, and other parties.’

Zelenskyy also claimed Russia targeted Ukraine’s water supply infrastructure, accusing Moscow of deliberately attempting to cripple critical facilities ahead of summer when water demand rises.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry stated the attack was retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian targets. Moscow claimed it used advanced missiles such as Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon to hit Ukrainian military facilities.

Interfax news agency cited the Russian Defence Ministry saying targets included military command centres, air bases, intelligence sites, and defence industry facilities. Ukraine, however, denies targeting Russian civilians.

In Kyiv, thousands of residents rushed to metro stations for shelter during the hours-long barrage of explosions.

The attacks also spread to other parts of Ukraine. Two people were reported dead and nine injured in the wider Kyiv region. In Cherkasy, a drone hit an apartment block, injuring 11.

At sunrise, thick black smoke rose across Kyiv. Firefighters and rescue teams continued working to evacuate casualties from severely damaged buildings.

One five-storey apartment building reportedly collapsed at the front due to the attack.

Previously, Zelenskyy had warned of indications Russia was preparing an Oreshnik attack, based on intelligence from Ukraine, the US, and Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously claimed the Oreshnik missile is nearly impossible to intercept due to its speed exceeding ten times the speed of sound.