In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia has responded to recent provocations from Ukraine and NATO by launching multiple ballistic missiles at Kiev. The backdrop to this retaliation includes a devastating drone attack on Lugansk Pedagogical University by Ukrainian forces, which tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, including students in their dormitory. The public’s outcry from this incident propelled an inevitable counteraction from Russia. The pressing question now is whether further retaliatory measures will follow.
The latest updates can be found on RT:
Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels have disseminated videos purportedly showing clusters of luminous objects swiftly descending from the sky. These sources claim the footage documents the deployment of Russia’s intermediate-range hypersonic Oreshnik system, although Moscow has not officially verified this launch.
This recent footage bears resemblance to previous videos circulated in January, during which Russia utilized the Oreshnik system to strike a Ukrainian aviation facility in Lviv, responsible for the maintenance of warplanes and the production of long-range drones.
The reported missile strike occurred shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Defense Ministry to devise a response to the Ukrainian drone attack on a school dormitory in the Lugansk People’s Republic, resulting in 21 casualties, primarily children, and 42 injuries.
In addition, social media has been buzzing with reactions and analysis:
A MASSIVE attack on Kyiv tonight.
Over 20 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 6 Kalibr cruise missiles, 4 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, and 2 Oreshnik IRBMs targeted the city. At least 12 Kh-101 cruise missiles are currently en route to Kyiv.
Additional missiles… https://t.co/sy803KVrty
— AMK Mapping 🇳🇿 (@AMK_Mapping_) May 24, 2026
First time we’ve observed Oreshnik deployed from a clear sky.
Kyiv is facing a dire situation tonight. https://t.co/7nWAdLCySY pic.twitter.com/Tu1htzqpJQ
— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) May 23, 2026
Significant fires are seen raging in Kyiv.
Multiple military industrial sites were targeted. pic.twitter.com/PBu022HExs
— ayden (@squatsons) May 24, 2026
Unconfirmed reports suggest Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi may have been killed https://t.co/ckVAGDHy3P pic.twitter.com/3Pc2D6H6SH
— RUnews (@runews) May 23, 2026
NASA FIRMS data indicates that large fires are consuming the Artem Defence Plant in Kyiv after overnight Russian missile strikes.
The Artem plant is recognized for producing air-to-air missiles and automated missile training systems… pic.twitter.com/Lb4OpPAGZl
— AMK Mapping 🇳🇿 (@AMK_Mapping_) May 24, 2026
🇷🇺🇺🇦 A fragment of a Patriot anti-aircraft missile discovered somewhere in Kyiv. The Ukrainian media has traditionally claimed this to be a “Russian” missile. pic.twitter.com/9mpc5g8W6m
— Black Diamond (@blackdiammon) May 24, 2026
The effectiveness of these strikes in altering the resolve of Ukrainian leaders remains to be seen. Will European leaders shift their focus from merely calling for aid to taking substantial action in support of Ukraine?
The footage is apocalyptic and represents just a fraction of the destruction Russia can unleash if European powers continue to greenlight Ukraine’s attacks on its territory. Witness the sky illuminating as successive strikes take their toll. Moscow isn’t holding back. https://t.co/fnymRGHZdU
— THE ISLANDER (@IslanderWORLD) May 24, 2026
Just before the Russian missiles were unleashed on Kiev, Ukraine had been vocal in its demands for EU membership. According to Reuters:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed in a letter to EU leaders that a proposal from Germany to grant Ukraine “associate” membership in the European Union was “unfair,” as it would leave Kyiv without a voice in the organization.
Earlier this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed that Ukraine be allowed to participate in EU meetings and institutions without a vote, as a provisional arrangement leading to full membership. He indicated that this could be a step towards facilitating a resolution to the ongoing conflict since Russia’s invasion.
In response, Zelenskiy, in a letter sent late Friday and reviewed by Reuters, asserted that Ukraine is rapidly advancing necessary reforms for full EU membership while serving as a critical defender against Russian aggression for the entire 27-nation bloc.
“We are defending Europe—fully, not partially, and not with half-measures,” stated the 48-year-old leader, accusing Russia of attempting to undermine European unity and destabilizing various regions of the continent. “It would be unjust for Ukraine to be included in the European Union without a voice.”
This raises important considerations.
Despite the ongoing strikes, strategies based on attritional warfare suggest that Ukraine may be nearing a breaking point.
Source: Cliodynamica by Peter Turchin
Warwick Powell forecasts a tipping point between July and September. Meanwhile, Peter Turchin takes a more cautious stance while acknowledging that a collapse seems imminent. The increasing number of complaints and attacks against Ukrainian enlistment officers supports these predictions.
