Full Breakdown
Belarusian Opposition Leader Visits Kyiv After Russia’s Largest Missile Strike
5/25/2026, 10:56:49 PM
Tsikhanouskaya’s Kyiv Visit Amid Russia’s Oreshnik Missile Barrage
On Monday, 25 May 2026, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled head of Belarus’s opposition, arrived in Kyiv. She came after Russia’s largest missile attack of the year on 24 May, when an Oreshnik ballistic missile struck Kyiv, killing two civilians, wounding at least 87 people, and damaging government offices, schools and a market. A Russian missile hit Derhachi, killing two and injuring 19. Red Cross volunteers treated victims and rescue workers used ladders to evacuate residents; shattered glass littered sidewalks. It followed Russia-Belarus nuclear drills earlier and the 2022 use of Belarusian territory as a launchpad. French President Emmanuel Macron warned President Alexander Lukashenko that deeper Belarusian involvement would raise the risk of escalation.
Official Statements & Responses
French officials said Macron underscored the risks for Belarus of dragging it into Russia’s war of aggression. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha led a delegation of ambassadors from 70 countries to the strike sites, urging stronger pressure on Moscow and more air-defence aid. President Zelenskyy said U.S. and European intelligence warned of an imminent Oreshnik launch. The Russian Foreign Ministry urged foreign citizens to leave Kyiv and warned of further systemic strikes.
Criticism & Opposition
Tsikhanouskaya told Associated Press the main goal of her Kyiv visit was to warn Lukashenko that dragging Belarus into the war would be unacceptable. She added that Lukashenko’s regime knows how to improve ties with the European Union but instead pursues hybrid attacks, nuclear blackmail and threats, framing Belarus’s alignment with Moscow as a breach of security.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Associated Press reported 87 wounded in the Kyiv barrage, while the Inquirer cited 91 wounded, creating a discrepancy. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the Derhachi missile strike or on the magnetic mines found on the LPG tanker Arrhenius bound for Samsun, Turkey.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The main goal — to warn Lukashenko that dragging Belarus into the war would be unacceptable,” — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, opposition leader
- “Lukashenko’s regime knows well what needs to be done to improve ties with the European Union, but it isn’t happening, instead hybrid attacks, nuclear blackmail and threats to the entire region continue,” — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
- “Russia hit a dead-end on the battlefield, so it terrorizes Ukraine with deliberate strikes on city centers,” — Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief
- “Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence services had received tipoffs from the United States and European countries that Russia was preparing to launch an Oreshnik.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy
What’s Next
Diplomats plan a follow-up meeting on assistance for Ukraine, and Kyiv continues to request more air-defence systems. Belarus remains under scrutiny as NATO and EU members monitor shift that could enable Russia to open a front from Belarusian territory.
