• Kyiv was hit by a massive missile and drone attack, injuring at least five people.
• The attack follows President Zelenskiy's warnings about an impending Russian hypersonic strike.
• Russia threatened retaliation for a drone strike on a college dormitory that killed 18.
• Ukrainian military reports preparedness for ongoing threats from various types of weaponry.

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Kyiv has been struck by a large missile attack, resulting in at least five injuries. The strikes began shortly after 1 a.m. local time on May 24, with loud explosions reported across the city and debris from residential buildings falling into streets, according to local officials and eyewitness accounts from Agence France-Presse. Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that medical services were mobilized to various affected areas, including Shevchenkivsky and Podilsky districts, highlighting the urgency of the situation, as many residents sought shelter in underground metro stations to avoid danger, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The missile strikes were anticipated as Ukrainian authorities had issued warnings regarding potential high-intensity attacks. On May 23, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that intelligence from Ukraine, the U.S., and European partners indicated that Russian forces were preparing for a strike potentially involving Oreshnik missiles, which President Putin claims can fly at speeds over ten times the speed of sound. This preparation was described as a response to a drone strike on a college dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region that reportedly resulted in 18 fatalities, as reported by Reuters and CBS News.

After the drone attack attributed to Ukrainian forces on the Russian-controlled area, which targeted a military site, Moscow responded with fierce rhetoric and a commitment to punishing those it held responsible. Russia stated that any aggressions against civilians in its territories would lead to "inevitable and severe punishment," further escalating tensions as both sides exchanged hostilities intensifying the ongoing conflict. This statement came alongside updates from both the U.S. Embassy and Zelenskiy, who have consistently warned of imminent missile threats from Russia, highlighting the dire nature of the situation, according to Le Monde and CBS News.