A devastating overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, including two children, with dozens more wounded.
The attack, described by Ukrainian authorities as “massive,” saw multiple areas of the city hit, with powerful explosions rocking the city into the early hours of Thursday morning. The Russian projectiles damaged and destroyed buildings in several districts, leaving behind columns of smoke and widespread destruction.
According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, two children were among those killed, with preliminary information suggesting a 14-year-old girl was among the victims.
Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s city military administration, described the scene at a five-storey residential building in the Darnytskyi district, which was hit directly: “Everything is destroyed… Tonight, Kyiv is under massive attack by the Russian terrorist state.”
Rescuers worked tirelessly at the site of the building, with another strike in central Kyiv leaving a major road strewn with shattered glass. Rescue teams were working to pull people trapped beneath rubble from some 20 affected locations across the city.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the attack as “massive,” with officials providing a long list of damaged buildings, including several high-rise apartment blocks.
The attack comes amid failed efforts by US President Donald Trump to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease his war on Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent his condolences to the loved ones of the victims, stating that the Russian strikes were “a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy.”
Zelenskyy called for greater pressure from the international community on Russia, including “new, tough sanctions,” specifically singling out China and Hungary.
“Russia still takes advantage of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin,” Zelenskyy said.
“The death of children should definitely stir far greater emotions than anything else.” He added that Ukraine expects a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed for greater international pressure to bring Russia to the negotiating table, stating that Russia chooses ballistics instead of diplomacy. “Russia chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war,” he said. “And this means that Russia still does not fear the consequences.”
Despite the ongoing conflict, Russia appears to be replenishing its military, with Moscow’s tactics incentivizing men to join and stick to the army. According to recent reports, Russia has been able to refurbish between 30 and 77 tanks each month on average to send to Ukraine.
The Kremlin has also been recruiting around 30,000 personnel a month since 2023, with claims that they have been able to maintain their offensives in Ukraine and regenerate new units.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with Kyiv residents losing hope for help after one of Russia’s deadliest attacks. A young pregnant woman, football-loving boy, and 30 others were killed in the Ukrainian capital on July 31.
Zelenskyy’s administration is set to meet US officials in New York on Friday to discuss the ongoing conflict and potential solutions.
As the conflict continues, one thing is clear: the international community must take a stronger stance against Russia’s aggression. The time for diplomacy is now, and it’s crucial that we work towards a peaceful resolution to this devastating war.