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Russia Unleashes Hypersonic Barrage on Ukraine in Massive Escalation

Moscow deploys advanced Oreshnik missiles as the conflict enters a dangerous new phase of destruction.

Foreign PolicyPublished May 25, 2026 at 4:45 AMProcessed May 25, 2026 at 5:30 AM
A woman in a grey hoodie and track pants walks past a destroyed building in Kyiv on May 24. There is debris on the floor and smoke in the air. The charred remains of a car can be seen in the background

The conflict in Eastern Europe has reached a harrowing new level of intensity after Russia launched a massive, multi-pronged aerial assault against Ukraine this weekend. The barrage, which involved hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, struck targets across the country, including the capital city of Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials confirmed that four people were killed and dozens injured as explosions rocked the region throughout the night. The strikes caused significant damage to residential buildings, a school, and the Chornobyl Museum.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed the use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile—a weapon capable of traveling at ten times the speed of sound—was a direct response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. While Moscow insists it targets military command centers, the sheer scale of the attack has left a trail of destruction in civilian areas.

As the war continues to escalate, Ukrainian forces reported intercepting hundreds of incoming threats, yet acknowledged dozens of direct hits across 54 locations. European leaders have condemned the use of the Oreshnik, with some officials labeling the move as reckless brinkmanship.

Meanwhile, the tit-for-tat violence shows no signs of abating, as reports emerged of subsequent drone and missile attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in the Belgorod and Yaroslavl regions. The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to trade blows, further entrenching a conflict that shows no immediate path to resolution.

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