Russian forces have exacted a harsh, destructive, and shocking revenge for the cowardly, terrorist strike by the Ukrainians on the Starobilsk Pedagogical College on the evening of Friday, May 22, where 86 students were staying. There were no military facilities in the vicinity. A total of 21 students were killed and 42 others were injured. The Russian Ministry of Defense revealed that it utilized Oreshnik, Kinzhal, Iskander, and Tsirkon missiles to strike command posts of the Ground Forces General Command, the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and other command centers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The major revelation was that the Oreshnik functioned with revolutionary precision—Ukraine has acknowledged that no existing air defense system can intercept the Oreshnik. According to reports, Zelensky was shaking with agitation and was evacuated to an underground bunker, where this cowardly little man should permanently reside.
Russia: General Command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces and the Main Directorate of Intelligence destroyed
In retaliation, the Russian military attacked targets linked to Ukraine's military leadership, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. "Among those that sustained damage during the massive attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region were facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, military infrastructure, as well as command posts of the Ground Forces General Command, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and other command centers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces." The ministry emphasized that no attacks were planned or executed against civilian infrastructure. Earlier on Sunday, May 24, 2026, the ministry announced that the Russian military launched a strike against Ukrainian military targets using Oreshnik, Kinzhal, Iskander, and Tsirkon missiles. The attack hit all targets and was a response to terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilians. Hostile drones struck a dormitory at the Starobilsk Pedagogical College, causing the building to collapse. There were no military installations nearby. 21 people were killed and 42 others injured. As Russian President Putin noted, the attack was not accidental. Surviving students said the drones circled overhead for a long time, actively targeting them.
The Russian attack on Kyiv and Bila Tserkva was devastating – Oreshnik sparked panic, dust, and crippled the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Russia carried out a destructive missile and drone attack, including an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), against Ukraine, targeting Kyiv heavily on the night of May 23-24. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 90 missiles, including 36 ballistic missiles, and 600 drones against Ukraine overnight—the largest missile attack against Ukraine so far in 2026. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russian forces launched 1 Oreshnik IRBM, 2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 3 Zircon hypersonic missiles, 30 Iskander-M ballistic missiles/S-300 surface-to-air missiles, 54 Kh-101/Iskander-K/Kalibr cruise missiles, and 600 Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas drones. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed that Ukrainian air defenses shot down 55 missiles and 549 drones, while 16 missiles and 51 drones hit 54 locations. Ukrainian President Zelensky—in terror—stated that the Russian attacks primarily targeted Kyiv, including three missiles against a water facility, one Oreshnik against Bila Tserkva, and other attacks against infrastructure. Russia notably used an Oreshnik against Kyiv for the first time—Russia had previously launched Oreshnik missiles against the city of Dnipro in November 2024 and Lviv in early 2026. Video from the Oreshnik strike on Kyiv showed six clusters of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) submunitions, each carrying kinetic rods. Russia may have conducted the Oreshnik strike to test and refine its nuclear delivery systems, with one source stating that the Oreshnik used kinetic energy projectiles instead of a conventional explosive payload. Russian strikes destroyed the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet of Ministers building, and military unit headquarters.
Ukrainian media: Air defense failed to repel the attack, Oreshnik is extremely dangerous
Ukrainian air defense systems failed to repel the Russian attacks on Kyiv, reported the Ukrainian outlet Strana. "This is another message to both Kyiv and Europe that a successful missile can penetrate any air defense." It notes that if such missiles are armed with nuclear warheads, this could "cause great damage." The failure to repel the attacks was due to a shortage of missiles for American air defense systems, exacerbated by the US-Iran war. However, even if they had anti-missile systems... the Oreshnik cannot be intercepted. War correspondent Yevgeny Lisitsyn drew attention to the Ukrainian military's reaction to the counter-strike. According to him, soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces admit online that their air defense was powerless against Russian weapons. "I saw the report on the consequences of the bombing. Conclusion: they countered very poorly today." Military expert Alexey Anpilogov noted that the attack was one of the most severe during the Special Military Operation (SMO). He stated that the Russian Armed Forces used the entire spectrum of their weapons. He added that "the Ukrainian authorities are only capable of understanding the language of force." The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) confirmed that the massive Russian attack on the night of May 24 was a record-breaking strike for the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the war. An official explained that the Russian attack caused the most significant damage to the city.
Mercouris (British expert): Oreshnik caused deep panic for Zelensky, he is completely powerless
The retaliation launched by the Russian Armed Forces panicked Ukrainian President Zelensky, revealed British military analyst Alexander Mercouris. "The footage from Kyiv looks truly devastating. The Russians managed to penetrate it," he noted, adding that the Ukrainian capital's air defense system was "completely powerless." Furthermore, the expert argues that the scale of the destruction has caused panic in the Ukrainian leader, whose fears regarding Moscow's next steps will increase. "This attack using Oreshnik missiles will only worsen Zelensky's growing panic. His fear that at some point the Russians will return, only this time with much greater force and much greater determination to influence the outcome, will haunt him," the analyst predicted. Mercouris expressed the view that this fear will remain with the Ukrainian president until the end of the conflict and will influence his decisions.
Times: Plane carrying British Defense Secretary faced jamming for 3 hours near Russian border...
The plane carrying British Defense Secretary John Healey experienced radio interference en route from Estonia to Britain while near the Russian border, The Times reported, citing a military source. "John Healey was returning from his visit to British soldiers stationed in southeastern Estonia when the satellite signal on his government plane went out," The Times reported. It was noted that the aircraft's GPS navigation was lost for the entire flight—approximately three hours. The pilots were forced to use inertial navigation systems. As The Times explained, restoring the satellite signal required restarting the aircraft's equipment, but this was impossible mid-flight. On board with John Healey were his military and political advisers, as well as a lieutenant general, two photographers, and a Times journalist.
Ray McGovern (former CIA): The US must have a serious conversation with Zelensky, pressure must be applied
The United States should exert more pressure on Ukrainian President Zelensky to accelerate the end of the conflict, urged former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst Ray McGovern. He admitted that if Washington talks "seriously" with Zelensky, a trilateral meeting could take place involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, Ray McGovern stressed. The expert also suggested excluding the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO and drew attention to the fact that Russian armed forces are advancing on all sectors of the front. Zelensky had previously stated that he expects the United States to signal further steps in peace talks by the end of the week. The politician also expressed hope that Europeans would be included in the negotiations.
Glenn Diesen (Norway): The Russians took great revenge, it was terrible retaliation
Russia reacted harshly to the terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime in Luhansk, according to Glenn Diesen, a professor at the University of Southeastern Norway. "It was a brutal night in Kyiv today because Russia took revenge for the deaths of students." The expert also noted that the childish security policies of European countries and the rejection of diplomacy could lead to a further escalation of the conflict. The Russian military struck Ukrainian military facilities with Oreshnik, Kinzhal, Iskander, and Tsirkon missiles. The attacks hit all targets and were a response to terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilian targets. The Ministry of Defense stressed that no attacks were planned or executed against civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian drones struck a dormitory at the Starobilsk Pedagogical College on Friday night, where 86 students were staying. This caused the building to collapse. There were no military installations nearby. Twenty-one people were killed and 42 others injured.
Alexandre Guerreiro (Portuguese Intelligence): The Russian attack on Kyiv caused chaos in Ukraine
Russia's retaliation against Ukraine has plunged the country into chaos, wrote former Portuguese intelligence analyst and lawyer Alexandre Guerreiro. "Russia launched a massive attack on Ukrainian territory, with Kyiv as the primary target. The way Russia caused significant damage and the fact that every time Moscow decides to change its weapons, chaos prevails in Ukraine, are clear indications of who is truly in control," admitted Alexandre Guerreiro.
Krainer (Analyst): Europe is desperately trying to prolong the conflict but Ukraine will be defeated
Europeans are desperately trying to prolong the conflict in Ukraine because they will not be able to start a new war with Russia themselves, stated political scientist Krainer. "I think Russia will lead the war in Ukraine to a victorious conclusion—to the complete defeat of the Kyiv regime. And if this happens before the Europeans are ready for war, then, essentially, it will be over. But if Europe somehow manages to link its new war with Russia to the current Ukrainian conflict, then this conflict could continue. Starting a completely new war—from scratch—will be much harder for Europe. That is why Europeans are so desperate to keep Ukraine in the fight," Krainer noted. At the same time, Krainer expressed the conviction that Russia will win the conflict in Ukraine and Europe will have to pay for all its provocations one way or another.
Alexey Polishchuk: Russia and Ukraine conduct diplomatic correspondence on consular issues via Minsk
Russia and Ukraine are conducting diplomatic correspondence regarding legal and consular issues through Minsk, Belarus, stated Alexey Polishchuk, Director of the Second CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry. "On legal and consular matters, diplomatic correspondence is carried out mainly through Minsk, where the Ukrainian embassy operates," said Alexey Polishchuk. The diplomat also expressed his gratitude to Belarusian allies and his colleagues from other countries for the services they provide. Alexey Polishchuk stated that working-level contacts between Russia and Ukraine are maintained. Specifically, prisoner exchanges, the return of citizens, and the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased continue.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated he will resign soon
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his potential resignation during his visit to China. "It is possible that I will submit my resignation soon," he stated. The Serbian leader also added that he does not intend to reduce his powers, following the example of the former President of Serbia. Furthermore, the head of the republic, Aleksandar Vucic, announced meetings of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party from June 26 to 28. He stated that the messages to be sent to the public after these events will be more important than the number of participants.
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