Coordinated Attack on Ukraine – May 24, 2026
In the early hours of May 24, 2026, Russia launched a large-scale combined assault on Ukraine, deploying 90 missiles and 600 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The estimated cost of this operation ranges from $257.5 million to $328 million. Its primary objective was to overwhelm and exhaust Ukraine’s air defense systems. The attack affected six regions across the country, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the damage. In the capital, 87 people were wounded—including three minors—and two were killed. Ukraine’s air defenses managed to intercept or neutralize 55 of the 90 missiles and 549 of the 600 drones.
Types of Missiles and Their Costs
Russia employed a diverse arsenal of missiles in the strike, including:
- one Oreshnik ballistic missile;
- two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles;
- three 3M22 Zircon anti-ship missiles;
- 30 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles;
- 54 Kh-101/Iskander-K/Kalibr cruise missiles.
In total, 690 aerial attack assets were recorded. The cost of a single Oreshnik missile ranges from $40 million to $100 million, a Kinzhal missile costs between $4.5 million and $10 million, and a Zircon missile is priced at a fixed $10 million. Other missiles include:
- Iskander-M at $3.2 million each;
- Kalibr at $750,000 each;
- Shahed drones at approximately $70,000 per unit.
In Kyiv, damage to civilian and administrative infrastructure was reported at 49 locations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated: “The strike was severe—90 missiles of various types, including 36 ballistic missiles, and 600 drones. Unfortunately, not all ballistic missiles were intercepted. The majority of impacts occurred in Kyiv, which was the primary target of this Russian attack.”
“Kyiv was the primary target of this Russian attack.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
According to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces continue to show poor battlefield performance and have failed to achieve significant gains in their spring-summer 2026 campaign, as Ukrainian troops maintain counteroffensive operations. The strike on Kyiv, analysts suggest, is a desperate attempt to divert attention from these frontline setbacks and project strength to both domestic and international audiences.
This latest assault highlights not only the scale of Russia’s missile and drone deployment but also its sustained production capacity. Russian industry can produce up to 150 cruise and ballistic missiles per month, alongside a significant monthly output of Shahed attack drones and decoy UAVs. The use of advanced munitions in this attack underscores the ongoing military operations and the persistent threat to Ukraine.
This strike ranks among Russia’s largest recent attacks on Ukraine, confirming the high level of regional tension. Despite battlefield difficulties, Russia’s continued aggression signals its intent to maintain pressure on Ukraine and display military strength. For Ukraine, strengthening air defenses and securing international support remain critical to countering such threats.
The recent strike on Ukraine's capital is part of a broader pattern of aggression, as highlighted in a previous report detailing Russia's ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure. These coordinated assaults aim to destabilize the region and undermine Ukraine's resilience. To understand the extent of the damage and the implications of such tactics, read more about the recent extended strikes on vital infrastructure.