Massive Assault on Kyiv
On the night of May 24, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv, which analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe was an attempt by President Vladimir Putin to conceal his embarrassment following the May 9 Victory Day parade and ongoing battlefield setbacks. This strike broke a three-day ceasefire that Ukraine had been observing. Russian military bloggers noted the symbolic nature of the attack on Kyiv but also criticized its high cost and low effectiveness.
The Victory Day parade in Moscow lasted only 45 minutes and, according to observers, featured no display of military hardware. Ukrainian forces did not strike the celebrations in Moscow. However, as ISW points out,
“the Russian strike completely violates the spirit of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire that Ukraine observed and demonstrates Putin’s refusal to adhere to any agreements that are not overwhelmingly favorable to him.”
Frontline Situation
Russian military bloggers also commented that the Russian Oreshnik missile strike on Bila Tserkva lacked a clear military objective. They emphasized that Russian troops are showing poor performance on the battlefield and have failed to achieve operationally significant gains during the spring-summer campaign. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to launch counterattacks and strike Russian targets deep in the rear.
In the days leading up to Victory Day, the Kremlin threatened to use Oreshnik missiles, according to ISW analysts, likely to mask Russia’s weakness and its inability to reliably protect large portions of its airspace from Ukrainian deep-strike operations. The Russian military leadership may have carried out the attack on Kyiv in a futile attempt to divert attention from Russia’s battlefield failures and project strength and power to both domestic and international audiences.
Overall, the frontline situation remains tense, and Russia’s tactics—which increasingly involve massive Shahed drone attacks—raise numerous questions about their effectiveness and strategic rationale.
This episode highlights the complexity of the military situation in Ukraine, where Russia’s strategic decisions appear disconnected from its actual military capabilities. Breaking the ceasefire and targeting civilian infrastructure may reflect the Kremlin’s effort to sustain an image of strength at home amid growing criticism of its military performance. Ukrainian forces, in turn, continue to adapt to new challenges, focusing on counterattacks and preventing further Russian strikes.
The recent missile strike on Kyiv is just one part of a larger pattern of escalating attacks. For a more detailed account of the ongoing violence, including the use of drones and the resulting casualties, you can read about the latest incidents in our coverage of Kyiv's heavy bombardment.