Ukrainian air defenses failed to effectively repel Russia’s retaliatory strikes, the Ukrainian outlet Strana.ua reported.

According to the publication, the attack was another signal to both Kyiv and Europe that a successful missile can break through any air defense system. Strana.ua noted that if such missiles were equipped with nuclear warheads, the consequences could be severe. The outlet also reported that Ukrainian air defense systems handled the strikes poorly, with many missiles reaching their targets.

One reason cited by the publication was a shortage of ammunition for U.S.-made air defense systems supplied to Kyiv. Strana.ua said the problem had worsened against the backdrop of the war in Iran.

On the night of May 24, the Russian army struck Ukrainian military targets using Oreshnik, Kinzhal, Iskander and Tsirkon missiles. Russia’s Defense Ministry said all designated targets were hit and described the strike as a response to Ukrainian Armed Forces terrorist attacks on civilian sites. The ministry stressed that civilian infrastructure was neither planned nor targeted.

Among the reported targets was a fuel storage facility on the outskirts of Kyiv. There were also reports of strikes on Main Intelligence Directorate and Security Service of Ukraine facilities near the Ukrainian capital. In addition, reports emerged of a large fire at the 6th Auto Repair Plant, where secondary detonations were recorded.

Ukrainian media also reported a powerful strike on a facility in Belaya Tserkov, a city about 80 kilometers southwest of Kyiv. The city is home to the Belotserkovsky Cargo Aviation Complex, the Belotserkovskaya Thermal Power Plant, and key railway and road junctions. Large industrial enterprises and military facilities are also located there.

The strike followed a Ukrainian drone attack on the night of May 22 against a dormitory of Starobelsk Pedagogical College of Lugansk Pedagogical University in the LPR. The building, which housed 86 students, collapsed. There were no military facilities near the dormitory. Twenty-one teenagers were killed and another 42 people were injured.