French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded to the large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on May 24 and condemned the use of the "Oreshnik" missile.
The French president emphasized that Russia’s attack and the use of a ballistic missile indicate a crisis situation for the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine.
“France condemns this attack and the use of the ‘Oreshnik’ ballistic missile, which, above all, demonstrates … the dead end of Russia’s war of aggression,” Macron wrote.
The French leader also stated that Russia’s latest strikes only strengthen the allies’ resolve to continue supporting Ukraine.
According to Macron, France will continue to work toward achieving a just and lasting peace, as well as strengthening European security.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, for his part, called Russia’s attack a ruthless escalation of the war.
“On the night of Pentecost Sunday, Russia carried out massive strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. The ‘Oreshnik’ missile system was used again. The German government strongly condemns this ruthless escalation. Germany remains firmly on Ukraine’s side,” Merz noted.
Thus, the leaders of two leading European countries reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine amid a new wave of Russian attacks.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, reacted sharply to Russia’s use of the “Oreshnik” missile during the attack on Ukraine. She called the Kremlin’s actions a reckless risk of nuclear war and announced the preparation of new measures to pressure Moscow.
On the night of May 24, Russian occupation forces launched an “Oreshnik” intermediate-range ballistic missile at Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. This marks the third use of this missile against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war.
As a result of Russia’s massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv on the night of May 24, the building of the Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theater was damaged. Due to the destruction, the theater’s administration was forced tourgently change its schedule and cancel upcoming events.
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 Cherkasy, a Russian drone struck a high-rise residential building, causing a fire in apartments on floors 5 through 9. Eleven people were injured, including two children.
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.