Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv overnight into Thursday killed at least 21 people, including four children, and damaged offices prompting sharp reactions from the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Ukrainian authorities said residential buildings, a shopping mall, a kindergarten and more than 20 other sites in the capital were struck, with one attack in the Darnytskyi district killing 17 people. Emergency crews warned that more victims may still be trapped under rubble.
The European Union’s mission in Kyiv and the nearby office of the British Council sustained damage from a blast wave after a missile hit a neighbouring building.
EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernová said the attack had “directly touched” the bloc, though no staff members were injured. The British Council announced a temporary closure. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty offices in the area were also affected.
The European Commission and the British government summoned Russian envoys in response. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the strike and said “Putin must come to the negotiating table.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Moscow of “sabotaging hopes for peace.” French President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as “terror and barbarism.”
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 598 drones and 31 missiles overnight, with most intercepted. Kyiv officials said the pattern of combined strikes from different directions showed Moscow’s intent to repeatedly target residential areas.
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed the assault was aimed at military and industrial sites, using drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and Kinzhal hypersonic weapons. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow still wanted to pursue talks “to achieve its stated goals through political and diplomatic means.”
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks showed the need for tougher sanctions against Russia. “Russia chooses missiles over dialogue,” he wrote on Telegram.