Russian Strikes Devastate Kyiv, Killing Eight

In the early hours of Thursday, Russia launched a series of intense missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, leaving at least eight people dead—including a six-year-old boy—and injuring 88 others, according to Ukrainian officials.

As daylight broke, emergency crews were seen battling fires and cutting through collapsed concrete structures in search of survivors. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia had unleashed more than 300 drones and eight missiles in the overnight assault.

“Once again, the world has witnessed Russia’s response to our pursuit of peace with the United States and Europe. This proves that peace cannot be achieved without strength,” Zelenskyy said.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed it had targeted Ukrainian military airfields, ammunition depots, and industrial facilities tied to Kyiv’s defense sector.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that nine children were among the wounded, marking the highest number of child casualties in a single night in the capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly three and a half years ago.

Among the survivors was 62-year-old Yurii Kravchuk, who stood outside a damaged building with a bandaged head, wrapped in a blanket. “I heard the missile alert and tried to wake my wife, but then the explosion happened. My daughter is now in the hospital,” he recounted.

Despite Russia’s continued denial of targeting civilians, it has significantly escalated aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities far from the frontlines in recent months.

One dramatic rescue effort saw emergency workers spend over three hours freeing a man trapped under rubble by cutting through the wall of an adjacent apartment, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. The man remained in contact with rescuers during the operation and was pulled out alive.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed on national television that a five-month-old baby was among the injured. Five children have been hospitalized.

Officials said that schools and hospitals were among the structures damaged in at least 27 locations across the city.

“This was a calculated and insidious strike, designed to overwhelm our air defence systems,” President Zelenskyy posted on X (formerly Twitter), along with footage of burning buildings. He noted that people remained trapped under the rubble of a partially destroyed residential complex as of Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Tuesday, announcing that the United States would begin imposing tariffs and other punitive measures against Russia “10 days from today” if no progress was made toward ending the war.

“This is Putin’s answer to Trump’s ultimatum,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. “The international community must respond with a tribunal and maximum pressure.”

Ukraine’s air force reported five direct missile strikes and 21 drone hits across 12 locations. Air defense units successfully intercepted 288 drones and three cruise missiles, they added.