Oreshnik, Zircon and hundreds of drones used in massive Russian strike targeting Kyiv

Russia launched a large-scale combined assault on Ukraine during the night of 24 May, using drones as well as air, sea and ground-launched missiles, with Kyiv identified as the primary target, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

The Ukrainian military said a total of 90 missiles and 600 drones of various types were launched during the attack.

According to the Air Force, the barrage included:

• One intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from Kapustin Yar in Russia’s Astrakhan region

• Two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from Russia’s Lipetsk region

• Three 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles launched from the Vologda and Kursk regions of Russia, as well as occupied Crimea

Thirty Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles launched from the Bryansk and Kursk regions and occupied Crimea

Fifty-four Kh-101, Iskander-K and Kalibr cruise missiles launched from Russia and the Black Sea

Six hundred attack drones, including Shahed, Gerbera and Italmas types, launched from several regions of Russia and occupied Crimea

The Ukrainian Air Force said preliminary data indicated that air defence systems intercepted or electronically suppressed 604 aerial targets, including 55 missiles and 549 drones.

According to the statement, Ukrainian forces shot down:

• 11 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles

• 44 Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles

• 549 enemy drones of various types

The Air Force added that a further 19 Russian missiles likely failed to reach their intended targets. Information regarding possible impact sites is still being clarified.

Hours before the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, according to American and European partners, Russia was preparing to strike Ukraine using an Oreshnik ballistic missile. He urged citizens to respond immediately to air raid warnings and seek shelter.

Colonel Yurii Ihnat, the Head of the Communications Department for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine later confirmed that Russian forces had used an Oreshnik missile against the Kyiv region during the overnight attack.