Tragedy Strikes Kyiv: Rescue Operations Continue After Devastating Missile Attack**

In a brutal early morning assault, Russian missile strikes on Kyiv resulted in at least 23 confirmed deaths and over 100 injuries, as eyewitnesses recount harrowing tales of chaos and destruction in their neighborhoods.**

After a night of horror, the aftermath of a missile attack in Kyiv reveals a scene of devastation and despair. Eyewitness Evhen Povarenkov, whose apartment building was severely impacted, expressed his disbelief: "Everything was destroyed."

In the quiet suburb of Solomianskyi, the sound of sirens and the smell of smoke filled the air as rescue teams combed through the wreckage of a nine-storey residential building that took a direct hit from a cruise missile. The attack occurred in the early hours on Tuesday, resulting in the destruction of 35 apartments and leaving personal belongings scattered across what was once a bustling community, with bedsheets hanging from tree branches and debris littering the pathways.

As of Wednesday afternoon, local authorities reported that 23 victims had been found dead, with the overall death toll from the attacks across Ukraine climbing to at least 30, the vast majority occurring in Kyiv. The strikes involved a massive assault of more than 440 drones and 32 cruise missiles, launching a relentless barrage on the Ukrainian capital that persisted from midnight until well into the next day.

Povarenkov, a 43-year-old warehouse worker, recounted the harrowing moments when the missile struck. "I was in bed... There was heat, fire, and smoke," he said, describing the chaos that ensued as he lost consciousness and later awoke to find his elderly mother injured in the adjacent room. "When I came to, I heard my mother screaming."

Rescue operations continued as neighbors rushed to assist each other, with many recalling the terrifying cries of children and the widespread panic that engulfed the area. "It was total chaos," remarked Arcadiy Volenchuk, a pensioner who witnessed the unfolding devastation. The injuries sustained by victims were severe, with local hospitals experiencing an influx of patients suffering from traumatic injuries, including a woman with an open head injury.

Among the survivors, Oleksandr Bondarchuk, a 64-year-old disabled resident, was unable to escape to safety, recalling his terror as he lay in bed during the attack. After waiting an hour post-strike, he emerged to assess the damage. "Everything was destroyed," he stated in disbelief.

While many residents sought refuge with friends and relatives, others faced uncertain futures. As rescue teams continued their grim task of uncovering bodies in the rubble, a somber atmosphere descended upon the neighborhood.

The attack coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the G7 conference in Canada, raising suspicions among commentators that this timing was aimed at conveying a punitive message from Russia. As Zelensky returned home, both the international community's support and the expectations for a meeting with US President Donald Trump dwindled amidst the crisis.

On Wednesday, mourners gathered in the Solomianskyi neighborhood, laying flowers at the site of the devastation as they grappled with the harrowing reality of loss and destruction. Amid ongoing rescue efforts, residents continued to hope for miracles amid the ruins, as police cordoned off areas around the building to facilitate the work of emergency personnel. As more bodies were discovered, the search went on, a reminder of the relentless violence engulfing Ukraine.