Russia unleashed missiles and drone strikes across Ukraine early Thursday, leaving at least 19 people dead in Kyiv, including four children.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called the strike Moscow’s answer to diplomacy, noting it was the second largest attack since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
The bombardment came less than two weeks after Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for a summit aimed at advancing negotiations.
Civilian Areas Hit
Officials in Kyiv reported that residential blocks, civilian trains, and offices of the European Union and British Council were damaged.
U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg said the strikes showed Moscow’s disregard for civilian lives, while Zelensky confirmed that a Turkish company and the Azerbaijan embassy were also hit.
At least 63 people were wounded in the hours-long assault, with blasts reported in every district of the capital. Drones buzzed overhead as rescuers pulled victims from rubble.
Across the country, Ukrainian officials reported strikes on 13 regions, with energy facilities knocked offline and power outages spreading.
International Response
The European Union and Britain summoned Russian envoys in protest.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the attack was “another grim reminder” of the Kremlin’s tactics, promising a new sanctions package and moves to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the assault, calling it a deliberate attempt to sabotage peace.
Zelensky said he discussed new security guarantees with EU leaders and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, promising details would be formalized in writing next week.
Moscow’s Position
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted military facilities and air bases, while claiming Ukrainian drones had attacked Russian oil refineries.
Moscow added that its air defenses destroyed more than 100 Ukrainian drones overnight across seven regions.
Ukraine’s military said it intercepted 563 of nearly 600 drones and 26 of 31 missiles during the barrage.
Despite those defenses, critical infrastructure in Vinnytsia and other regions suffered significant damage.
Danube Clash
In the south, Russia said its forces sank a Ukrainian reconnaissance boat using an unmanned speed vessel near the mouth of the Danube River.
Ukraine’s navy confirmed one death and several wounded or missing.
The Danube ports remain vital for Ukraine’s economy, serving as an alternative to the Black Sea for importing fuel and other critical supplies.
