Russia struck the historic center of Kyiv and nearly destroyed the National Museum "Chernobyl"
On the night of May 24, 2026, Russian occupiers launched a massive combined attack on Kyiv, striking the territory of the “Ancient Kyiv” State Historical and Architectural Reserve. As a result of the shelling, architectural landmarks suffered serious damage, and the National Museum “Chernobyl” in Podil was almost completely destroyed.
Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, officially reported on this large-scale war crime committed by the Kremlin.
The museum was housed in the historic early 20th-century Fire Watchtower—a monument of architecture, history, and monumental art of national significance. It was here in the 1980s that the fire department operated, one of the first to participate in the cleanup of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Of particular significance is the fact that the museum was opened following extensive restoration only in early May 2026, ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy. The restoration work took nearly a year and a half.
Work is currently underway in Podil to address the aftermath of the attack and assess the extent of the damage.
“The National Chernobyl Museum was also damaged. A museum that we opened just a month ago after a lengthy restoration. A deliberate attack on history, memory, and truth,” the minister wrote.
According to eyewitnesses, the blast wave was extremely powerful. Yaroslav Yemelianenko, head of the Association of Chernobyl Operators, reacted emotionally to the tragedy.
“The National Museum ‘Chernobyl’ has been destroyed. An architectural landmark. The feeling is the same as when Russia destroyed all our facilities in the Chernobyl zone in 2022. It’s hard, but the main thing is that everyone is alive,” he noted.
The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in Kyiv was damaged as a result of a Russian missile and drone strike on May 24.
In Kyiv, as a result of a massive combined attack by the Russian Federation, the number of casualties rose to at least 62 people, including two children.
As a result of the massive nighttime attack on Kyiv, all districts of the capital were affected, with the most severe damage recorded in the Lukyanivka district.
On the night of May 24, Russia carried out a massive combined strike on Ukrainian territory, using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as hundreds of attack drones.
In the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, during a massive nighttime attack by Russia, an enemy drone struck a 9-story residential building.
In Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, a business center was hit following a massive nighttime attack by Russia. Preliminary reports indicate that people may be trapped inside the shelter.
As a result of Russia’s massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv, a shock wave damaged the ground-level lobby of the Lukyanivska metro station.
On the night of May 24, Russian forces carried out a massive combined attack on Kyiv, using ballistic missiles and strike drones. All districts of the capital came under fire.
On the night of May 24, Russian forces carried out a massive attack on the Kyiv region, using strike drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The shelling resulted in casualties and damage across all districts of the region.
On May 23, Russian forces launched a second strike on Balakliya in the Kharkiv region. The attack damaged the “Light of the Gospel” church building, an apartment building, and private residential structures. The shelling sparked a fire that destroyed the church building.
