At least 10 people are dead, with more than 100 injured, as Kyiv faces one of its largest attacks in recent months with drone strikes destroying multiple residential buildings.
**Russia Launches Deadly Missile and Drone Strikes on Kyiv, Civilian Targets Hit**
**Russia Launches Deadly Missile and Drone Strikes on Kyiv, Civilian Targets Hit**
An overnight offensive on Ukraine's capital causes deaths and widespread destruction, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
Russia has unleashed a massive offensive on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, resulting in at least 10 confirmed fatalities and over 100 injuries. This assault, which included a devastating drone strike that struck an apartment block, is being characterized by Ukrainian officials as one of the most significant in months. Reports indicate that the attacks involved 440 drones and 32 missiles, targeting various locations including residential buildings and critical infrastructure.
Early estimates suggested the death toll could be as high as 15, but later adjustments confirmed 10 fatalities, with two additional deaths reported in Odesa, a southern port city. Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the scene of destruction, noting that over 40 apartments in the impacted structure were rendered uninhabitable, and rescue operations were ongoing as more individuals may be trapped beneath the debris.
In a statement, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as "one of the most terrifying," while Russia’s defense ministry claimed that the offensive aimed at Ukraine’s military-industrial infrastructure. The attack endured for over nine hours, prompting residents to seek shelter underground during the ordeal. Eyewitness accounts from survivors depict a scenario of chaos and despair, as rescue operations were interrupted by further sirens and explosions.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko elaborated on the diverse range of buildings affected, indicating that the initial death toll might have fluctuated due to the complex nature of the casualties. The assault is part of a pattern of intensified air strikes by Moscow, which have continued in recent weeks, suggesting a strategic shift to using larger waves of drones to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses.
As the situation escalates, President Zelensky, attending the G7 summit in Canada, labeled the attacks "pure terrorism," asserting that they stem from a sense of impunity on the part of the Kremlin. Despite the grim developments, Zelensky hoped to secure discussions with US officials regarding military aid, yet recent global crises complicated these negotiations. Concurrently, allies in the UK and beyond are expected to announce fresh sanctions against Russia, reflecting ongoing international responses to the war in Ukraine.
