Night hell over Kyiv: deaths, dozens injured, and destruction after a massive Russian strike

On the night of May 24, Russia launched another massive attack against Ukraine, with the main strike this time focused on Kyiv. The capital was attacked with dozens of ballistic missiles, "Shahed" drones, and cruise missiles, with the strike beginning shortly after 1:00 AM and lasting until the early hours of the morning.

During the night, the Air Force warned of a threat to the capital from the "Oreshnik" medium-range ballistic missile. According to preliminary data, at least two people have died and 56 have been injured as a result of the shelling and subsequent destruction in the Ukrainian capital.

The continuous attacks on Kyiv lasted virtually throughout the entire night and subsided only around 6:00 AM. Reports of destruction and casualties have also come from the city of Cherkasy, which was also targeted.

Correspondents from the BBC Ukrainian Service located in Kyiv described the night as one of the heaviest since the beginning of the war, reporting extremely loud and frequent explosions. "This is Armageddon, massive destruction," reported Dmytro Vlasov, a correspondent for the BBC Ukrainian Service, from the area of the Lukianivska metro station.

Destruction and damage to residential buildings have been recorded in the center and in almost all districts of the Ukrainian capital. Many homes have shattered windows, damaged facades, and destroyed entrances, while in some places, parts of apartment blocks are completely destroyed.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported two deaths and 56 injuries. Of those, 28 people have been hospitalized, including two children who are in moderate condition. Three of the victims are in critical condition. 16 people received outpatient medical care without the need for hospitalization.

After 7:00 AM, "Shahed" drones were detected over Kyiv again, which necessitated the re-activation of the air raid siren and forced residents to seek shelter once more.

In the early hours of the day, advisor to the Minister of Defense Serhiy Sternenko stated that a strike with an "Oreshnik" missile without a warhead had been carried out on Kyiv. However, this information was not officially confirmed by the Air Force, which has so far not provided details on the specific type of ammunition used in the attack.