The EU condemns Russia for “nuclear threats” after the hypersonic missile strike on Kyiv.

European Union (EU) leaders unanimously criticized Russia for its “reckless nuclear threat” after Moscow launched a barrage of Oreshnik hypersonic missiles at the Kyiv region on the night of May 24. This was considered one of the largest air raids on the capital Kyiv since the start of the war. Given the devastating scale of the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for completely “losing control” and called on the West to take immediate retaliatory action.

Báo Thanh Hóa•25/05/2026

The EU condemns Russia's nuclear threats after the hypersonic missile strike on Kyiv.

President Zelensky (left) calls for strong and immediate action from the United States, Europe, and other partners regarding Russia following the bombing on the night of May 24. Photo: X/@ZelenskyUa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces used up to 600 drones and 90 missiles, including Oreshnik hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The bombardment, which lasted for hours, killed at least four people and injured dozens more. Ukrainian officials described it as one of the most intense shelling attacks since the conflict began.

According to President Zelensky, dozens of residential buildings were severely damaged. The attack also “completely destroyed” the city’s Chernobyl Museum, damaged the National Art Museum, a building belonging to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, and the representative office of the German television station ARD.

The Ukrainian president stated: “It is crucial not to let Russia slip through the net without consequences. Strong and immediate decisions are needed from the United States, Europe, and other partners.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also stated that Ukraine had called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) following the large-scale Russian airstrikes.

The Oreshnik missile attack, a hypersonic weapon that Moscow claims is "uninterceptable" due to its extremely high speed, has drawn strong condemnation from European leaders.

EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, described Russia's deployment of this weapon as " political blackmail and a reckless act of nuclear intimidation." She said the bloc's foreign ministers would meet next week to discuss increasing sanctions pressure on Russia.

The EU condemns Russia's nuclear threats after the hypersonic missile strike on Kyiv.

EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, warned that Russia is using systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads as a political intimidation tactic amid increasing battlefield pressure. (Photo: AnewZ)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that the bombing demonstrated “brutality, a disregard for human life, and the Kremlin’s efforts at peace negotiations.”

"France condemns this attack and the use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile, which above all signals a reckless and pointless plunge into a war of aggression by Russia," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Channel X, expressing his support for Ukraine.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin “strongly condemns” what he called the reckless escalation, while reaffirming Germany’s unwavering commitment to defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and defense.

Conversely, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that this was retaliation for a previous Ukrainian drone strike on a university dormitory in the town of Starobilsk in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region, which killed 18 people and left many still trapped under the rubble. The Russian president subsequently instructed the Ministry of Defense to propose a response.

Nhat Le

Source: The Guardian, France 24

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