Russia unleashed a massive overnight assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing nine people and injuring at least 63 in what authorities describe as one of the largest aerial attacks in months.
Beginning around 1 a.m. on Thursday, the barrage included 215 missiles and drones—among them 11 ballistic missiles, 55 cruise missiles, four glide bombs, and 145 drones. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 48 missiles and 64 drones.
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The strikes targeted at least four districts in Kyiv, sparking fires and collapsing buildings. In the Sviatoshynskyi district, a residential building caught fire, trapping people beneath rubble.
Similar devastation was reported in the Shevchenkivsky and Holosiivskyi districts. At least 42 people have been hospitalised, and emergency crews continue search and rescue efforts.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed that fires broke out in multiple residential buildings as a result of the strikes.
Tensions Escalate After Trump Pressures Zelensky to Accept Peace Deal
The attack on Kyiv came just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and pushed for a peace deal with Russia that would acknowledge Moscow’s control over occupied territories, including Crimea.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Nobody is asking Zelensky to recognise Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?”
He continued: “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelensky’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire—He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”
Trump later told reporters that he has “a deal with Russia” and added,
“I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky, so far it’s been harder.”
These remarks sparked backlash in Kyiv and beyond, with Ukrainian leaders calling for unity among Western allies and urging respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Ukraine Urges Western Support Amid Renewed Russia Attacks
Following the strikes, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Russia’s actions, stating: “Russia, not Ukraine, is the obstacle to peace.”
He added: “Putin demonstrates through his actions, not words, that he does not respect any peace efforts and only wants to continue the war. Weakness and concessions will not stop his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will.”
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko echoed the sentiment in an interview with BBC Radio 4, calling the attacks “really awful” and emphasising that peace remains a distant hope unless the international community holds firm on Ukraine’s red lines.
“I hope [Trump] will understand to achieve this peace you need to put pressure not just on Ukraine but on Russia too,” Goncharenko said.
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Meanwhile, diplomatic talks between the US, UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine were downgraded to technical discussions after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to attend. The European nations released a joint statement reaffirming their support for Trump’s efforts to end the war, though the U.S. did not sign on.
Zelensky responded diplomatically, posting on X: “Emotions have run high today,” but praised the dialogue as constructive. He included a screenshot of a 2018 U.S. condemnation of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and added: “Ukraine will always act in accordance with its constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners in particular the USA will act in line with its strong decisions.”
As the dust settles in Kyiv, Ukraine’s leadership continues to plead for unity and pressure against Russian aggression, warning that peace can only come through strength—not surrender.
