Story perspectives

Zelensky Warns of Possible Russian Oreshnik Missile Strike on Kyiv

5/24/2026

Summary

Zelenskyy warns missile

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 23, 2026 Russia may prepare an Oreshnik missile strike on Kyiv.
He said Ukrainian intelligence and U.S./European partners supplied data Kyiv verifies.
He urged civilians to heed that evening’s air-raid alerts and use shelters, warning an attack could involve weapons, including the Oreshnik.
He called on U.S. and European partners to pressure Moscow and said Ukraine will respond to every Russian strike and demands peace.

Summary

Putin orders retaliation

President Vladimir Putin ordered retaliation after a drone strike hit a student dormitory in Luhansk, which Ukraine denied.
Britain, France and Germany called Russia’s Oreshnik missile use in western Ukraine escalatory and unacceptable in January.
Putin said the Oreshnik travels at over ten times the speed of sound and cannot be intercepted.
The November 2024 Oreshnik strike used dummy warheads and caused limited damage while the January 2026 launch struck Lviv region.

History

Historical Context

On 24 March 1999 NATO began Operation Allied Force, firing 202 Tomahawk cruise missiles and conducting over 38,000 combat missions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to halt ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. The campaign, led by the United States and allies such as the United Kingdom, sparked international condemnation and diplomatic pressure—a pattern later echoed in other missile-driven crises.

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Zelenskyy warns missile

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 23, 2026 Russia may prepare an Oreshnik missile strike on Kyiv.
He said Ukrainian intelligence and U.S./European partners supplied data Kyiv verifies.
He urged civilians to heed that evening’s air-raid alerts and use shelters, warning an attack could involve weapons, including the Oreshnik.
He called on U.S. and European partners to pressure Moscow and said Ukraine will respond to every Russian strike and demands peace.

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