The Air Force explained the challenges of repelling massive attacks on Kyiv

Even with a robust air defense system, no country in the world can guarantee the complete destruction of all aerial targets during large-scale combined strikes such as the one that took place on May 24. Defending large cities is complicated by the technical limitations of foreign weaponry; specifically, the Patriot air defense missile system can only cover the sector toward which its radar is directed, leaving other directions vulnerable. 

This was reported by Yuriy Ignat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force, on the Den.Live TV channel.

As the Air Force representative noted, protecting a large city like Kyiv is extremely difficult due to the technical characteristics of Western air defense systems. “You can’t cover Kyiv with a single battery, because it’s a huge city. The Patriot system only looks in one direction, where its radar is pointed, but something else could fly in from behind. That’s why all systems are in operation,” he added.

Adverse weather conditions, such as low cloud cover or thunderstorms, are an additional critical factor during the repulsion of attacks. Since mobile fire teams with machine guns and MANPADS, interceptor drones, and fighter aircraft crews require a clear visual lock on the target, bad weather significantly reduces the effectiveness of their operations. The spokesperson concluded that due to challenging weather conditions in various regions, air defense units are operating under the most difficult circumstances, yet are destroying as many enemy weapons as possible.

On the night of May 24, 2026, during a massive combined attack on Kyiv, Russian occupiers struck 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.

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 extensive 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.