Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least eight, Ukrainian officials say

Russia attacked Kyiv overnight with missiles and drones, resulting in at least eight fatalities, over 70 injuries, and damaging buildings in the largest assault on the Ukrainian capital this year.

The assault ignited flames, and six children were among the injured, with some individuals still caught beneath debris, the officials reported.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on X that the “brutal attacks” demonstrated that it was Russia, not Ukraine, hindering peace. Russia did not provide an immediate response regarding the overnight attack.

Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that eight fatalities have been confirmed in the capital, despite previous reports from officials indicating that nine people had died. The gravest incident occurred in the Sviatoshynskyi district located west of the city center, as rescuers persisted in removing debris from two structures, Klitschko mentioned.

Images shared on Telegram displayed rescue teams utilizing floodlights, navigating carefully through mounds of debris and scaling ladders propped against the sides of structures. Authorities were checking from unit to unit to assess if the inhabitants were secure.

The assault occurred at a crucial time in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, which started with Moscow’s large-scale invasion in 2022, as both Kyiv and Moscow faced pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to demonstrate advancement toward a peace agreement.

Trump and his team have warned they might abandon attempts to negotiate a ceasefire if no progress occurs, prompting European countries to seek ways to assist Kyiv. Trump seemed to hold Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responsible for the stagnation after Zelenskiy stated he would not acknowledge Russia’s seizure of Crimea as part of any peace agreement.