A large-scale Russian drone and missile assault on Ukraine’s capital early Thursday has claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 48 others injured, according to local authorities. This marks the first significant Russian attack on Kyiv in weeks, occurring as efforts led by the U.S. to broker peace in the ongoing war continue to falter.
Among those killed were two children, said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, who noted that the death toll could rise further. Rescue teams were on the scene, working to free individuals trapped beneath the debris, reports UNB/AP.
“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X after the attack. “We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions.”
The head of Kyiv’s city administration, Tymur Tkachenko, informed Russian forces launched a mix of decoy drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. At least 20 sites across seven districts of Kyiv were impacted, causing damage to nearly 100 buildings, including a shopping mall in the city centre.
The Russian strike on central Kyiv marked one of the few occasions since the full-scale invasion began that the heart of the capital was targeted. Residents were seen clearing shattered glass and debris.
In the Darnytskyi district, a five-story residential building was directly hit, causing smoke to billow from the wreckage. The smell of burning material filled the air as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Emergency crews were actively searching for survivors, pulling bodies from the rubble. Nearby, residents anxiously awaited news of their loved ones, including a man who stood by the building, hoping for information about his wife and child. Several bodies, covered in black bags, were placed on the ground.
Local residents confirmed that this was not the first attack on the district.
Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’s national railway operator, reported infrastructure damage in both the Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions, which caused delays and necessitated rerouting of trains.
This strike represents the first major combined drone and missile attack on Kyiv since US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this month to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Despite initial momentum in diplomatic efforts following that meeting, little has been revealed about any progress or subsequent steps in the peace talks. Western leaders have accused Putin of stalling negotiations while Russian troops continue to advance deeper into Ukraine.
Ukrainian military officials have acknowledged that Russian forces have broken into an eighth region of Ukraine, expanding their territorial ambitions.