In a harrowing escalation, Ukrainian officials reported that overnight airstrikes in Kyiv claimed the lives of at least nine individuals, marking the most lethal assault on the city since last summer. The Ukrainian forces described the scenes of devastation as explosions shattered the early morning calm, with thick clouds of smoke billowing over damaged infrastructure.
At Least 9 Lives Lost in Devastating Russian Strikes on Kyiv
At Least 9 Lives Lost in Devastating Russian Strikes on Kyiv
A surge of missile and drone attacks in Ukraine's capital results in significant civilian casualties, raising alarm in ongoing peace negotiations.
The Russian military executed a large-scale missile and drone bombardment targeting Kyiv early Thursday, leading to more than 60 injuries, as stated by local authorities. Among the destroyed structures was a two-story residential building, where emergency personnel continued their search for potential survivors amid the wreckage. Citizens gathered outside, many communicating with family and friends to relay their safety.
Svitlana Vodolaha, a spokeswoman for the emergency services, reported encouraging news, revealing, “Just now we dug out another person. Alive!” The chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, shared a video on social media showing the aftermath and denounced the attack on non-combatants.
Kharkiv, the nation’s second-largest city, was also hit by drones and missiles, leaving at least two people wounded in a residential part of the city, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
This assault represents a particularly deadly chapter in the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous strikes on Kyiv and other cities, such as Sumy and Kryvyi Rih, have similarly caused substantial casualties.
The timing of this onslaught comes as hopes for a political resolution seem bleak. Following a temporary ceasefire that garnered skepticism among observers, scheduled peace talks in London were compromised by the absence of U.S. representatives. The current U.S. administration has issued threats of withdrawal from discussions, with proposals perceived to favor Russian territorial gains, which Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelensky, have staunchly opposed.
Further reporting from Kharkiv, Ukraine, contributed by Andrew E. Kramer, and insights from Oleksandra Mykolyshyn in Kyiv, illustrate the urgency and complexity of the situation facing both the country and its leadership.
As the toll of human suffering mounts, the fragility of peace in the region becomes ever more pronounced.
Svitlana Vodolaha, a spokeswoman for the emergency services, reported encouraging news, revealing, “Just now we dug out another person. Alive!” The chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, shared a video on social media showing the aftermath and denounced the attack on non-combatants.
Kharkiv, the nation’s second-largest city, was also hit by drones and missiles, leaving at least two people wounded in a residential part of the city, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
This assault represents a particularly deadly chapter in the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous strikes on Kyiv and other cities, such as Sumy and Kryvyi Rih, have similarly caused substantial casualties.
The timing of this onslaught comes as hopes for a political resolution seem bleak. Following a temporary ceasefire that garnered skepticism among observers, scheduled peace talks in London were compromised by the absence of U.S. representatives. The current U.S. administration has issued threats of withdrawal from discussions, with proposals perceived to favor Russian territorial gains, which Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelensky, have staunchly opposed.
Further reporting from Kharkiv, Ukraine, contributed by Andrew E. Kramer, and insights from Oleksandra Mykolyshyn in Kyiv, illustrate the urgency and complexity of the situation facing both the country and its leadership.
As the toll of human suffering mounts, the fragility of peace in the region becomes ever more pronounced.
