In the early hours of May 24, 2025, Kyiv was plunged into one of the darkest and most terrifying nights in recent memory. The Ukrainian capital endured a brutal and sustained aerial assault that lasted over seven agonizing hours, leaving behind a trail of destruction, chaos, and despair. This wasn’t just another missile strike—it was a calculated and ruthless onslaught from the Russian military, employing an unprecedented number of Iskander-M ballistic missiles and a swarm of Shahed-type drones. Fires raged across the city, explosions shattered windows miles away, and the eerie howl of air raid sirens became the soundtrack of a city under siege.
For many Kyivans, this attack wasn’t just about physical destruction—it was psychological warfare. The intensity and duration of the bombardment were designed to break spirits and send a chilling message. With at least 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones deployed, it marked a dramatic escalation in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Civilian neighborhoods, infrastructure, and emergency services bore the brunt of this attack, reminding the world of the persistent and evolving threat Ukraine faces daily.
At the heart of this assault lies a deeper geopolitical narrative. According to a high-ranking Moscow military official, Vladimir Putin’s long-term goal is to merge Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus into a single state—a chilling reminder of the imperial ambitions fueling this war. As the dust settles in Kyiv, the global community watches with bated breath, wondering how Ukraine will respond and how the world will hold Russia accountable.
Timeline of the Assault
The nightmare began just after 10 p.m. on May 23 and didn’t relent until around 5:10 a.m. the following morning. Residents who initially dismissed the early explosions as isolated incidents soon realized the severity of the situation as air raid sirens wailed nonstop and emergency alerts flooded phones across the city. Over the next several hours, Kyiv experienced more than 20 separate blasts, each one more devastating than the last.
Key locations across the capital—including the Solomianskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts—were struck, causing fires to erupt and buildings to crumble. Witnesses reported a fireball lighting up the night sky as one of the Iskander-M missiles struck a fuel depot, sending flames and smoke billowing into the air. Hospitals began receiving the wounded just after midnight, with emergency services stretched to their limits as more areas came under attack.
Each hour brought new horrors. Around 1:30 a.m., a residential building in the Obolon district was hit, causing significant casualties and trapping several people under debris. By 3 a.m., social media was awash with harrowing videos showing the skyline alight with orange flames, the city’s streets filled with smoke and the constant buzz of drones above. When the final drone was neutralized around 5:10 a.m., Kyiv had been battered by a night of relentless terror.
The morning light revealed the full extent of the devastation. Streets were littered with debris, charred vehicles sat abandoned, and families who had taken shelter in subway stations cautiously emerged to survey the damage. It was, by all accounts, one of the most intense nights since the war began.
Weapons Used in the Assault
This attack was notable not just for its duration but for the sheer variety and quantity of weaponry used. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian military launched 14 Iskander-M ballistic missiles—highly maneuverable, high-precision weapons capable of striking targets with devastating force. Known for their speed and unpredictability, these missiles are particularly difficult to intercept, making them a potent tool in Russia’s arsenal.
Alongside these missiles, an estimated 250 Shahed-type drones—believed to be of Iranian design—were launched in waves. These drones are smaller, harder to detect, and can be used to overwhelm air defenses through sheer numbers. While not as destructive individually as a ballistic missile, their cumulative impact was catastrophic. They targeted everything from energy infrastructure to residential zones, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Despite the intensity of the attack, Ukrainian defenses performed admirably under pressure. Of the 14 ballistic missiles, six were successfully intercepted. As for the drones, 128 were shot down by anti-aircraft units, and an additional 117 were neutralized using advanced electronic warfare systems. This shows just how critical Ukraine’s air defense capabilities have become—and how much more support they may need if such assaults continue to escalate.
This fusion of missile and drone warfare is emblematic of Russia’s evolving tactics. It reflects a dual strategy of direct physical destruction combined with psychological attrition. The use of drones in particular suggests a desire to test and overwhelm Ukrainian defense systems, pushing them to their breaking point.
The physical aftermath of the attack reads like a disaster scenario from a war movie—only this was painfully real. Fires raged across multiple districts of Kyiv, with emergency services battling to control them even as explosions continued. One of the worst-hit areas, Solomianskyi, saw a residential block partially collapse after a missile strike. Firefighters worked through the night to extinguish flames that threatened to engulf nearby buildings.
Over 15 civilians were reported injured, including children. Hospitals received an influx of patients suffering from burns, blast injuries, and psychological trauma. Emergency shelters were set up to accommodate those who lost their homes, and volunteers worked tirelessly to distribute food, blankets, and medical supplies.
Infrastructure took a massive hit as well. Several power substations were destroyed, plunging neighborhoods into darkness. Water supply lines were damaged in the Desnianskyi district, forcing authorities to truck in emergency water. Schools, which were supposed to reopen for summer programs, have now been converted into emergency centers.
Perhaps most haunting were the images of charred playgrounds, burning cars, and families huddled in subway tunnels. This was not just an attack on military or strategic targets—it was an assault on the very fabric of civilian life in Ukraine’s capital.
Civilian Experience
For the people of Kyiv, the attack was a traumatic ordeal that no amount of preparation could have softened. Many had grown used to air raid sirens and intermittent drone strikes, but the sheer scale of this assault shocked even the most hardened residents. As missiles streaked through the sky and drones buzzed ominously overhead, families rushed to underground shelters, clutching whatever essentials they could grab.
One resident, Iryna Kostyuk, recounted how she and her children spent over seven hours crammed into a basement with dozens of neighbors. “We thought it would never end. Every time we heard a boom, the ground shook and we just held each other tighter,” she said.
The psychological toll is immense. Children are experiencing severe anxiety, with many too afraid to return home. Schools have reported a spike in trauma-related issues, and mental health hotlines are overwhelmed. This attack wasn’t just about physical destruction—it was a direct assault on the spirit and resilience of Kyiv’s people.
Despite everything, there’s a palpable sense of defiance. Volunteers poured into the streets at first light to help with clean-up. Local restaurants cooked hot meals for emergency workers, and donation drives were launched within hours. If Russia’s goal was to break Kyiv’s will, the resilience shown by its people suggests it failed miserably.
