The death toll from Russia’s large-scale attack on Ukraine has risen to 24 people. The wave of drones and missiles, which mainly targeted Kyiv, has been described as one of the largest Russian assaults in the past four years, according to Euronews.
Ukrainian emergency services said on Friday that dozens more people were injured.
The attack, which primarily hit the capital Kyiv, began as a rare daytime strike on Wednesday and continued into Thursday.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 675 attack drones and 56 missiles, mostly toward Kyiv, adding that air defense units shot down 652 drones and 41 missiles.
The strikes damaged homes, residential buildings, and other civilian infrastructure. In Kyiv’s Darnytsia district, rescue teams searched through concrete rubble after a nine-story residential building collapsed, destroying all 18 apartments.
Kyiv’s military administration chief, Tymur Tkachenko, reported that nine people were killed in the capital, including a 12-year-old girl, while around 20 people are still missing.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared Friday a day of mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast and entertainment events suspended.
Other regions, including Odesa, Kherson, and Kharkiv, were also targeted.
European Union leaders strongly condemned the attack and expressed support for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was “another night of death and destruction” and announced a €6 billion support package for drone assistance.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the strikes proof of “Russia’s hypocrisy during fragile ceasefire talks,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attacks show that Moscow is choosing escalation over negotiations.
