Ukraine's capital Kyiv was struck by a large-scale missile and drone attack early on Sunday, shortly after the air force warned of a possible launch of a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile. Explosions were heard across the city just after 1am, with officials reporting one person killed and 20 wounded. Several residential buildings were damaged, according to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The attack targeted at least four districts: Shevchenkivsky, Dniprovsky, and Podilsky, with fires and damage to residential buildings reported. Debris from the attack set a school on fire in the city centre. The air force did not confirm whether an Oreshnik missile was used.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that any use of such weapons sets a global precedent for other aggressors. He called for a preventive response from the world, urging pressure on Moscow to prevent the war from expanding. Canada condemned the attack, with Prime Minister Mark Carney calling on Russia to cease its illegal war of aggression.
Zelenskyy had previously warned of a planned Oreshnik strike based on intelligence from Ukraine, the US, and Europe. Russia has already used the Oreshnik twice, with President Vladimir Putin claiming it is impossible to intercept due to its extreme speed. Russia has also deployed the missile to Belarus, which borders three NATO member states.
Separately, a 23-year-old Briton, Ayrton Redfearn, was killed in Ukraine's Donetsk region on 9 May. He had joined a specialist unit supporting the Ukrainian army in 2025. His mother described his bravery and said he was due to receive a bravery award. The Foreign Office confirmed it is supporting the family.
Acclaimed Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev called on Putin to end the "carnage" in Ukraine after his new film, set during the war, came runner-up at the Cannes film festival. He said millions on both sides dream of an end to the massacres.
