Children are running across the street by a damaged shopping center following Russian strikes in Kyiv on May 25, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 1,553.

Russia has issued the United States and other countries with diplomats in Kyiv, urging them to leave Ukraine or face what it called “systematic strikes” on the Ukrainian capital.

The warning came just days after the Ukrainian capital faced one of the heaviest attacks since the start of the Russian invasion. European countries rejected the Kremlin’s call to leave Kyiv, vowing to stay put.

Kyiv. Overnight on May 24, Russia hit Ukraine with an Oreshnik missile in one of the war’s biggest overnight missile and drone bombardment on Ukraine’s capital, resulting in four deaths, nearly 100 injuries, and significant damage to civilian and historical infrastructure across the city. In addition to residential and commercial buildings, several important historic sites were damaged. The Ukrainian National Chornobyl Museum lost roughly 40% of its artifacts. Other affected venues include the National Art Museum of Ukraine (NAMU), the Kyiv Mala Opera, and the Taras Shevchenko Institute of Literature.

Kharkiv Region. On May 26, 2026, Russian forces attacked Kharkiv and 14 settlements in the region with a missile, two glide bombs, and 35 drones of different types, reported Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv oblast.

In the Kharkiv district, Russia attacked two civilian businesses in Derhachi with a missile, killing 2 and injuring 24 people. After the attack, 17 people remain hospitalized with various injuries.

Russian forces attacked the Chuhuiv district, killing one and injuring another person, reported the Kharkiv regional police.

Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation

Ukrainian forces continued their mid-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure on the night of May 24 to 25. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces struck the Belets Oil Depot in Unecha, Bryansk Oblast (roughly 58 kilometers from the international border).

Russian President Vladimir Putin enacted a law on May 25 allowing him to authorize the use of the Russian Armed Forces overseas to defend “Russian citizens” being prosecuted in international or foreign national courts.

Ukrainian Tennis Star Conquers Rome

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, born and raised in Kharkiv, won the Italian Open in Rome for the third time after defeating world No. 4 Coco Gauff from the U.S. in a grueling three-set final. The victory marks Svitolina's 20th career WTA title and further strengthens her reputation as one of the tour's most accomplished clay-court players. On her way to the trophy in Rome, Svitolina also defeated Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, two of the strongest players on the women's circuit. The title lifts Svitolina to third place in the WTA Race, the season-long ranking that determines qualification for the year-end Finals, which she won in 2018. Another Ukrainian, Marta Kostyuk, also remains in contention for the top eight after winning the Madrid Open earlier this month.