KYIV — At least eight people have been killed and more than 70 injured following a large-scale missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight, in what Ukrainian officials describe as the most intense attack on the capital so far this year.
The strikes, launched by Russian forces under the cover of darkness, caused widespread destruction across several districts and ignited multiple fires. The State Emergency Service confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing, with several individuals still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble. Among the wounded are six children, and emergency crews continue to search collapsed buildings, particularly in the hard-hit Sviatoshynskyi district west of Kyiv’s city centre.
“This brutal attack once again shows that the path to peace is blocked not by Ukraine, but by Russia,” wrote Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on X (formerly Twitter). Russia has yet to issue a statement regarding the latest offensive.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the death toll stood at eight, revising earlier reports of nine fatalities. He stated that the most severe damage occurred in residential areas, where two buildings were heavily damaged and emergency teams are working around the clock to ensure all residents are accounted for.
Images shared on social media show firefighters and emergency responders navigating debris under floodlights, with ladders propped against shattered building facades. Police are going door to door, checking on residents and aiding evacuations.
The attack comes at a politically sensitive juncture, as international pressure mounts on both Kyiv and Moscow to make progress toward a ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw American mediation efforts unless tangible steps are taken. This has prompted renewed European engagement, with talks held in London on Wednesday between Britain, France, and Germany reportedly yielding “significant progress” toward a joint position on the path forward.
However, diplomatic efforts were dealt a blow by the unexpected absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading to a downgrading of the London discussions. President Trump has openly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s refusal to concede Crimea to Russia as part of any settlement, placing further strain on negotiations.
As the conflict, now in its third year, continues to exact a heavy toll, Ukraine’s leadership remains steadfast in its refusal to cede territory, while Russian aggression shows no signs of abating. The latest assault on Kyiv underscores the fragility of the diplomatic process and the high stakes facing the war-torn region.