Kyiv, Ukraine, experienced a severe assault involving drones and missiles from Russia, resulting in at least eight fatalities, including two children, and dozens injured. The city was illuminated by explosions, leading to extensive damage across multiple districts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the casualties, and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko noted the inclusion of two children among the deceased. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the incident as a “massive” attack with at least 38 people wounded, 30 of whom required hospitalization.
This marks the first major combined assault on Kyiv in weeks, coinciding with faltering U.S.-led peace initiatives in the ongoing three-year conflict. It was the first significant coordinated attack since a high-profile meeting earlier in the month between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at resolving the war. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, reported that Russian forces deployed ballistic and cruise missiles alongside Iranian-designed Shahed drones, targeting residential areas.
In response, local defenders worked to intercept the drones, with at least one missile reportedly shot down. A building in the Darnytskyi district collapsed, and a shopping mall in central Kyiv was also struck, causing significant destruction. Meanwhile, a Russian strike in the Zaporizhia region was noted on the same day.
As the assault raised grave concerns about civilian safety, President Zelenskyy announced upcoming meetings between Ukrainian officials and their U.S. counterparts in New York. He criticized the “arrogant” signals from Moscow concerning negotiations and called for increased international pressure on Russia to advance meaningful discussions to end the conflict.
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