Russia launches major air attack on Ukraine, hitting Kyiv, Mykolaiv and Odesa

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

ANKARA, Turkey — Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine with drones and missiles, with explosions, injuries and damage reported in Kyiv, Mykolaiv and Odesa.

The attacks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv had received intelligence, including from American and European partners, about Russia preparing a new large-scale strike. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv also warned its citizens of a possible major air attack across Ukraine within the next 24 hours.

As the night unfolded, reports from several regions confirmed that Ukraine was facing a new wave of heavy Russian aerial attacks. At least five people were injured in Kyiv, nine people including children were wounded in the Odesa region, explosions were heard in Mykolaiv, and a police officer from Mykolaiv region was killed by a Russian drone strike while serving in eastern Ukraine.

Zelenskyy warned of a possible combined strike

President Zelenskyy said before the latest attacks that Ukrainian intelligence had received information about preparations for another Russian strike.

According to Zelenskyy, the intelligence included data received from U.S. and European partners. He said Ukrainian authorities were verifying information that Russia could use the “Oreshnik” weapon system as part of a new attack.

Zelenskyy also said there were signs that Russia was preparing a combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, using different types of weapons. Such attacks typically involve drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and other weapons launched either simultaneously or in waves.

The Ukrainian president urged citizens to respond carefully to air raid alerts, especially from the evening onward, and to use shelters whenever warnings are issued.

He said Russia’s “madness” was still extremely dangerous and called on people to protect their lives.

U.S. Embassy issued rare security warning

Before the overnight strikes, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert for American citizens in Ukraine.

The embassy said it had received information about a potentially significant air attack that could occur at any time within the next 24 hours. It advised U.S. citizens to be prepared to immediately seek shelter if an air alert is announced.

The warning drew attention because of its timing and scope. Soon afterward, reports of attacks began coming from Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa and other regions.

Zelenskyy also emphasized that Russia’s continued use of such weapons creates a dangerous precedent not only for Ukraine, but for the world. He said that if Russia is allowed to continue attacks on this scale, other aggressive regimes could view such actions as a model.

The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv expects a reaction from international partners and renewed pressure on Moscow to prevent further escalation.

Kyiv hit by drones and missiles

Kyiv was one of the main targets of the overnight attack.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said Russia targeted the capital with drones and missiles. Falling debris and damage were recorded in several districts of the city.

According to early reports, at least five people were injured in Kyiv.

In the Solomianskyi district, a private residential building was damaged. In the Darnytskyi district, debris fell on the roof of a high-rise apartment building, but no fire was reported.

In the Shevchenkivskyi district, remnants of an aerial target fell on the grounds of a school.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko later said one injured person had been hospitalized, while several others received medical assistance at the scene.

Emergency services continued working at debris impact sites and damaged areas as the attack continued.

Tkachenko warned residents that the “terrorist attack continues” and urged them to remain in shelters.

Odesa missile strike injured children

The Odesa region was also hit during the latest Russian attacks.

Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, said a missile strike on civilian infrastructure on the evening of May 23 injured nine people.

Among the wounded were three children between the ages of 8 and 12.

Seven of the injured were hospitalized. One adult was reported to be in serious condition, while the children were described as being in moderate condition.

Authorities said information about the consequences of the attack was still being clarified.

The strike on civilian infrastructure again highlighted the impact of Russian attacks on ordinary people, including children, far from the front line.

Odesa region has repeatedly been targeted during the war because of its port infrastructure, logistics routes and civilian population centers.

Explosions heard in Mykolaiv

Mykolaiv also came under threat from enemy drones overnight.

According to local reports, several explosions were heard in the city at around 2:29 a.m. on May 24. The city was reportedly under attack by Russian drones.

The latest explosions followed several days of attacks on Mykolaiv region.

On May 22, Russian forces targeted the region with Shahed-type attack drones, FPV drones and artillery. Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, said an administrative building in Mykolaiv was damaged in that attack. No casualties were reported.

In Mykolaiv district, the Ochakiv and Kutsurub communities also came under fire. Russian forces launched eight FPV drone attacks and carried out an artillery strike on the Kutsurub community.

The repeated attacks show that Mykolaiv remains under constant pressure because of its strategic location and proximity to areas affected by the war.

Mykolaiv police mourn fallen officer

The latest Russian attacks also brought painful news for Mykolaiv police.

The police of Mykolaiv region said that Senior Police Lieutenant Stanislav Smirnov was killed on May 23 in eastern Ukraine as a result of a Russian drone strike.

According to the police statement, Smirnov served in the rifle battalion of Mykolaiv region police. He received fatal injuries during an enemy drone attack in Donetsk region.

The department said Smirnov joined the rifle battalion in 2024 and led the explosive ordnance service unit of the battalion. He performed both official and combat duties and remained loyal to the Ukrainian people.

“Stanislav Smirnov will forever be 39. He is survived by his mother,” the police said.

The statement added that Smirnov had served for about 17 years in Ukraine’s internal affairs bodies, holding various positions in special-purpose units and the explosive ordnance service.

Russia seeks to pressure Ukrainian cities

The overnight attacks underline Russia’s continued strategy of aerial pressure against Ukrainian cities.

Drone and missile strikes are aimed not only at military targets, but also at civilian infrastructure, residential areas, schools, administrative buildings and public morale.

Debris falling on school grounds in Kyiv, children injured in Odesa, an administrative building damaged in Mykolaiv and the death of a police officer in eastern Ukraine show the wide human cost of the attacks.

By launching drones and missiles at night, Russia also seeks to exhaust Ukraine’s air defense systems, test defensive readiness and create psychological pressure on civilians.

The use of combined attacks is especially dangerous because it can force air defense units to respond to multiple threats at once.

Zelenskyy calls for international pressure on Moscow

Zelenskyy said the international response to Russia’s threats and attacks is critically important.

He argued that the continued war and Russia’s use of advanced or large-scale weapons systems create a global danger. If such actions are left unanswered, he warned, other hostile regimes could draw similar conclusions.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is preparing to defend itself and is strengthening its air defense systems as much as possible. He said Kyiv had given permission for defensive consultations and preparations, but not for Russia’s “madness.”

The president stressed that the war must end with a just peace, not through proposals that reward aggression or accept terms set by Moscow.

He thanked Ukraine’s partners for helping save lives and once again urged citizens to remain careful and use shelters.

Citizens urged to heed air alerts

Ukrainian authorities repeated calls for people not to ignore air raid alerts.

During drone and missile attacks, danger comes not only from direct hits but also from debris after air defense operations. The incidents in Kyiv and other regions again showed how falling fragments can damage buildings, vehicles and public infrastructure.

Residents are advised to stay in shelters until official all-clear announcements are issued, avoid windows during attacks and not approach suspicious objects or drone debris.

Authorities also urge people not to publish photos or videos of air defense activity or impact sites before official information is released.

For families with children, elderly people and those with limited mobility, officials recommend preparing a safe place in advance and keeping essential items ready.

Ukraine faces another intense wave of attacks

The latest events show that Ukraine is facing another intense wave of Russian aerial attacks.

In Kyiv, people were injured as debris damaged residential and public areas. In Odesa, children were among those wounded in a missile strike. In Mykolaiv, explosions were heard during a drone attack. In Donetsk region, a police officer from Mykolaiv region was killed while serving in a combat role.

The attacks came after both the U.S. Embassy warning and Zelenskyy’s public statement about a possible major strike, increasing concerns that the coming hours could remain dangerous for several Ukrainian regions.

Russia continues to rely heavily on drones and missiles to attack Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine works to strengthen its air defense network and calls for stronger international action.

For civilians, the immediate message from authorities remains clear: follow official information, respond to air alerts and stay in shelters during attacks.

www.wisenewspress.com