Report on Russia’s Nighttime Missile and Drone Attacks on Ukraine: Massive Strike Campaign with 14 Ballistic Missiles and Over 250 Drones
Early morning of May 24, Ukrainian military forces recorded a large-scale aggression by Russian troops, who launched a significant number of missiles and drones into Ukrainian territory as part of their ongoing strategy to destroy infrastructure and terrorize the population. According to the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during this time, Russian forces launched 14 Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles, as well as over 250 strike drones, targeting various regions of the country. Official information received from the Air Forces indicates a high level of tactical complexity and scale of this attack. Military reports state that Ukrainian air defense systems detected and successfully shot down six of the launched ballistic missiles, which is a significant achievement given the scale of the attack. Additionally, 128 kamikaze drones were neutralized, and another 117 drones were detected and suppressed by electronic warfare (EW) means but not destroyed. The main target of the Russian attack that night was the Kyiv region, reaffirming the strategic importance of Kyiv in the context of destroying Ukrainian elite infrastructure and morale. At the same time, objects and regions beyond the capital also received hits: attacks were recorded in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions—indicating a wide geographical scope that suggests a deliberate attempt to fracture the unity of Ukrainian territory. According to reports from Ukrainian military and law enforcement agencies, several regions suffered damage as a result of these attacks. Local residents report infrastructure destruction, damaged residential buildings, and critical energy infrastructure facilities, which could lead to significant disruptions in electricity and water supply in affected regions. Ensuring the safety and integrity of civilians remains a top priority for the Ukrainian armed forces and security services. Overall, this nighttime attack is yet another demonstration of the ongoing escalation of Russia's military campaign, which continues to attempt to showcase its strength by destroying infrastructure and increasing psychological pressure on Ukrainians. Military experts emphasize that the level of resistance and the ability of Ukrainian air defenses to maintain control and inflict losses on the enemy are crucial factors for stabilizing the situation and preventing further large-scale actions by the aggressor. Ukraine remains alert and continues to strengthen its defense system to counter Russian missile and drone attacks, while also calling on the international community to increase support and provide a high level of defensive assistance to oppose such aggression.