Russia unleashed a powerful hypersonic drone attack on Kyiv on May 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 24.
The assault included a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, which killed at least two people and wounded at least 83 others in residential areas, near government buildings and around the city center, Zelenskyy said.
“The largest number of missiles was directed at the capital – at ordinary residential buildings, at schools; they burned down a food market, one of Kyiv’s oldest markets,” Zelenskyy wrote in a statement.
The strike destroyed the [Chernobyl] Museum, and damaged the National Art Museum and a building used by Germany’s public broadcasting network, Zelenskyy added.
“My condolences to everyone who has lost family members and loved ones,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Sunday marked the third time that type of weapon, which is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, was used in the four-year war.
Ukraine’s Air Force said the attack involved 600 strike drones and 90 air-, sea-, and ground-launched missiles.
Ukrainian air defenses successfully destroyed and jammed 549 drones and 55 missiles during the strikes.
Russia’s Defense Ministry on Sunday confirmed that it used the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile to hit Ukrainian “military command and control facilities.”
The ministry added that the attacks on Ukraine were retaliatory after Ukraine hit “civilian facilities on Russian territory.”
Zelenskyy thanked the surrounding countries that were “not staying silent” about the latest Russian escalation.
“They are waging war solely against our people – against our memory, our history, and everything that makes up normal human life,” Zelenskyy said.
“It is important that Russia understands that they will be held accountable for all these crimes.”
World leaders from Germany, France, and Estonia quickly issued statements on Sunday condemning the attacks.
António Costa, the president of the European Council, strongly condemned “this reckless escalation.”
“It is yet another stark reminder that Russia has no interest in engaging in meaningful peace negotiations,” Costa said. “The EU remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack and the use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile.
“Our determination to continue supporting Ukraine, to do everything possible for a just and lasting peace, and to strengthen Europe's security is only reinforced,” Macron wrote in a statement.