At least eight people, including two children, were killed and 45 others injured after a massive Russian missile and drone strike hit Ukraine’s capital early Thursday morning.
This marks the first large-scale combined attack on Kyiv in weeks, coming as U.S.-led peace efforts to end the three-year war remain underway, AP reported.
Casualties and Damage
- Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that two children were among the dead.
- Nearly 100 buildings were damaged, including residential homes and a shopping center in central Kyiv.
- At least 20 locations across seven districts of the capital were struck.
- Rescue teams remain on site, working to free people trapped under the rubble, with authorities warning the death toll may rise.
Zelensky’s Response
Following the attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Moscow’s actions, stating:
“Russia chooses ballistics over the negotiating table.”
He also called on the international community to respond firmly, accusing some countries of remaining silent despite calls for peace.
Context
The strike highlights Moscow’s continued escalation even as diplomatic negotiations intensify, raising concerns about the fragility of ceasefire talks.
