Russia launches 100+ drones overnight

Published May 27, 2026 by The Daily Scout

- Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight on May 26, Ukrainian officials said, extending days of sustained aerial attacks. - The European Union summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires after Moscow warned foreign diplomats and citizens to leave Kyiv, calling the threat “an unacceptable escalation.” - Ukraine said OSCE states condemned the attacks; the next formal pressure point is continued diplomatic meetings in Vienna and appeals for a ceasefire.

Why it matters

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight into May 26, the Ukrainian air force said, extending a wave of attacks that has kept pressure on air defenses and major cities. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the barrage followed Russian warnings that Kyiv should expect heavier strikes, but added that the latest attack did not show a new pattern beyond the scale already seen in recent days. European governments and the European Union responded by summoning Russian envoys after Moscow told foreign citizens and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital. The latest military and diplomatic moves came as separate pressure mounted around talks, with Ukraine using OSCE forums to press its case and President Vladimir Putin signing a new law on the use of Russian forces abroad. ### How large was the overnight attack? Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles during the overnight assault reported on Tuesday. AP, cited by U.S. News, said the attack was part of continued Russian strikes after a larger barrage earlier in the week. Kyiv’s foreign ministry said Russia’s warning that it would hit the capital especially hard did not produce a qualitatively different attack, even as the number of incoming weapons remained high. (usnews.com) Sky News, citing Ukrainian officials, said the ministry saw “no noticeable change” in the pattern despite Moscow’s public threats. ### Why did the EU summon a Russian diplomat? (usnews.com) The European Union summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires after Moscow urged foreign citizens, including diplomatic personnel, to leave Kyiv. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anitta Hipper said the threats to diplomats and foreign nationals were “an unacceptable escalation,” according to multiple reports. Germany, Norway and the Netherlands also summoned Russian envoys, USA Today reported, after the warning to leave Kyiv. (news.sky.com) The coordinated response widened the dispute beyond the strikes themselves and focused attention on Russia’s message to foreign missions still operating in the Ukrainian capital. ### What did Ukraine do at the OSCE? Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said participating states at a special OSCE meeting condemned what he called Russian terror and reaffirmed support for Ukraine. (eurointegration.com.ua) Ukrinform reported that the meeting was convened at Ukraine’s request after the latest mass attacks. Vienna became one of the main diplomatic venues for Ukraine’s response this week. (usatoday.com) According to reports citing Sybiha, Ukraine also pushed for urgent international discussions after the attacks, using multilateral bodies to document the strikes and press partners to maintain support. ### What was Moscow trying to signal with its warning on Kyiv? Russia on May 26 told foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv quickly and avoid military and government facilities, according to AP. (ukrinform.net) The warning came just before or alongside the overnight barrage and was treated by European officials as a direct threat tied to further strikes. Ukraine’s position was that partners should not yield to Russian pressure. Reports on the European reaction said Kyiv framed the warning as part of an intimidation effort aimed at the capital and at foreign governments still visibly present there. ### How does Putin’s new law fit into the same week? Vladimir Putin signed a law on May 25 giving the Russian president authority to use the armed forces to protect Russian citizens abroad who are detained or prosecuted by foreign courts Moscow does not recognize, according to Meduza and other reports. (usnews.com) Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov linked the measure to a recent case involving a Russian archaeologist detained in Poland. (aljazeera.com) The law did not directly concern the overnight strikes, but it added another coercive step during the same period of military escalation. Lawyers cited by Meduza said the measure could formalize protection missions for sanctioned Russian shipping if applied broadly. ### What comes next in the diplomatic response? OSCE discussions requested by Ukraine have already produced statements of support from participating states, and EU institutions have publicly demanded that Russia stop attacks on civilians and begin talks with a full and unconditional ceasefire. (meduza.io) Those positions were set out in statements cited on May 26 and May 27. The next steps are likely to remain split between air-defense alerts in Ukraine and formal diplomatic sessions in Brussels and Vienna. Named participants in that process now include Andrii Sybiha, Anitta Hipper and the Russian chargé d’affaires summoned by the European External Action Service. (ukrinform.net)

Key numbers

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight on May 26, Ukrainian officials said, extending days of sustained aerial attacks.
Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight into May 26, the Ukrainian air force said, extending a wave of attacks that has kept pressure on air defenses and major cities.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles during the overnight assault reported on Tuesday.
Russia on May 26 told foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv quickly and avoid military and government facilities, according to AP.

What happens next

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight into May 26, the Ukrainian air force said, extending a wave of attacks that has kept pressure on air defenses and major cities.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the barrage followed Russian warnings that Kyiv should expect heavier strikes, but added that the latest attack did not show a new pattern beyond the scale already seen in recent days.
Russia on May 26 told foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv quickly and avoid military and government facilities, according to AP.

Sources

Quick answers

What happened in Russia launches 100+ drones overnight?

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight on May 26, Ukrainian officials said, extending days of sustained aerial attacks. The European Union summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires after Moscow warned foreign diplomats and citizens to leave Kyiv, calling the threat “an unacceptable escalation.” Ukraine said OSCE states condemned the attacks; the next formal pressure point is continued diplomatic meetings in Vienna and appeals for a ceasefire.

Why does Russia launches 100+ drones overnight matter?

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight into May 26, the Ukrainian air force said, extending a wave of attacks that has kept pressure on air defenses and major cities. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the barrage followed Russian warnings that Kyiv should expect heavier strikes, but added that the latest attack did not show a new pattern beyond the scale already seen in recent days. European governments and the European Union responded by summoning Russian envoys after Moscow told foreign citizens and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital. The latest military and diplomatic moves came as separate pressure mounted around talks, with Ukraine using OSCE forums to press its case and President Vladimir Putin signing a new law on the use of Russian forces abroad. How large was the overnight attack? Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles during the overnight assault reported on Tuesday. AP, cited by U.S. News, said the attack was part of continued Russian strikes after a larger barrage earlier in the week. Kyiv’s foreign ministry said Russia’s warning that it would hit the capital especially hard did not produce a qualitatively different attack, even as the number of incoming weapons remained high. (usnews.com) Sky News, citing Ukrainian officials, said the ministry saw “no noticeable change” in the pattern despite Moscow’s public threats. Why did the EU summon a Russian diplomat? (usnews.com) The European Union summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires after Moscow urged foreign citizens, including diplomatic personnel, to leave Kyiv. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anitta Hipper said the threats to diplomats and foreign nationals were “an unacceptable escalation,” according to multiple reports. Germany, Norway and the Netherlands also summoned Russian envoys, USA Today reported, after the warning to leave Kyiv. (news.sky.com) The coordinated response widened the dispute beyond the strikes themselves and focused attention on Russia’s message to foreign missions still operating in the Ukrainian capital. What did Ukraine do at the OSCE? Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said participating states at a special OSCE meeting condemned what he called Russian terror and reaffirmed support for Ukraine. (eurointegration.com.ua) Ukrinform reported that the meeting was convened at Ukraine’s request after the latest mass attacks. Vienna became one of the main diplomatic venues for Ukraine’s response this week. (usatoday.com) According to reports citing Sybiha, Ukraine also pushed for urgent international discussions after the attacks, using multilateral bodies to document the strikes and press partners to maintain support. What was Moscow trying to signal with its warning on Kyiv? Russia on May 26 told foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv quickly and avoid military and government facilities, according to AP. (ukrinform.net) The warning came just before or alongside the overnight barrage and was treated by European officials as a direct threat tied to further strikes. Ukraine’s position was that partners should not yield to Russian pressure. Reports on the European reaction said Kyiv framed the warning as part of an intimidation effort aimed at the capital and at foreign governments still visibly present there. How does Putin’s new law fit into the same week? Vladimir Putin signed a law on May 25 giving the Russian president authority to use the armed forces to protect Russian citizens abroad who are detained or prosecuted by foreign courts Moscow does not recognize, according to Meduza and other reports. (usnews.com) Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov linked the measure to a recent case involving a Russian archaeologist detained in Poland. (aljazeera.com) The law did not directly concern the overnight strikes, but it added another coercive step during the same period of military escalation. Lawyers cited by Meduza said the measure could formalize protection missions for sanctioned Russian shipping if applied broadly. What comes next in the diplomatic response? OSCE discussions requested by Ukraine have already produced statements of support from participating states, and EU institutions have publicly demanded that Russia stop attacks on civilians and begin talks with a full and unconditional ceasefire. (meduza.io) Those positions were set out in statements cited on May 26 and May 27. The next steps are likely to remain split between air-defense alerts in Ukraine and formal diplomatic sessions in Brussels and Vienna. Named participants in that process now include Andrii Sybiha, Anitta Hipper and the Russian chargé d’affaires summoned by the European External Action Service. (ukrinform.net)