Russian Strike Damages Cultural Landmarks and Institutions in Kyiv

The massive attack on the night of May 24 caused the most extensive damage to cultural institutions and historical monuments in Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. In particular, the Ukrainian National Chornobyl Museum was destroyed in a missile strike.

Tetyana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, reported this.

According to the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, the historic fire station building associated with the liquidation of the Chornobyl disaster suffered irreparable damage as a result of a direct missile hit. It remains unclear what was saved from the museum’s collection.

“There were unique documents, eyewitnesses’ belongings, and an updated exhibition that opened only at the end of April.

The museum also housed a photo exhibition of the Chornobyl Reserve, and a space for educational and public events was set up — all of this was destroyed,” museum workers noted.

The National Art Museum of Ukraine also suffered significant damage from the blast wave. The collection and museum staff were not harmed. Museum employees and specialized services are currently inspecting the building, documenting the consequences of the attack, and assessing the extent of the damage. The museum building is a nationally significant monument of architecture, history, and monumental art.

The National Philharmonic of Ukraine, the National Academy of Music of Ukraine, the Yaroslav the Wise National Library of Ukraine, the Kyiv Opera, and numerous architectural landmarks, including the Kontraktovy Dim and the Postal Station, were also damaged. Part of the facade windows of the Ukrainian House was damaged.

“Russia is systematically attacking culture and spaces that form Ukrainian identity. They are trying to destroy our memory. But Ukrainian culture has stood up before and will stand up now,” the Minister of Culture emphasized.

As of May 24, 2026, Russia had destroyed or damaged 1,783 cultural heritage sites and 2,540 cultural infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.

Massive attack on the night of May 24

Russian forces launched 690 aerial attack weapons against Ukraine, including 90 missiles and 600 drones of various types. Kyiv was the main target of the attack.

Of the 90 missiles launched by Russia against Ukraine, one Oreshnik (Kedr) intermediate-range ballistic missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar area in Russia’s Astrakhan region. Russian forces also used two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from the Lipetsk region and three 3M22 Zirkon anti-ship missiles launched from occupied Crimea and the Kursk region.

In addition, the enemy launched 30 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles from the Bryansk and Kursk regions and occupied Crimea, as well as 54 Kh-101, Iskander-K, and Kalibr cruise missiles from the Vologda and Kursk regions and the Black Sea.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down 604 aerial targets, including 11 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 44 Kh-101, Iskander-K, and Kalibr cruise missiles, as well as 549 drones of various types. Another 19 enemy missiles likely failed to reach their targets, and information on possible crash sites is being clarified.

As of 2 p.m., 77 people were reported injured in the attack in Kyiv, including two children. Among them, 31 were hospitalized, including three in serious condition. Two deaths have been confirmed.