Russia has unleashed a massive wave of more than 400 drones and dozens of missiles on Kyiv, killing at least ten people and injuring many more, amid the breakdown of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the overnight assault—describing it as “one of the most horrific attacks” on the capital since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago. He said a total of 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched across Ukraine and called on the global community not to ignore the escalating violence.
“President Putin continues the war simply because he can. He wants it to drag on,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.
According to AFP reporters, thick smoke rose over Kyiv at dawn, with a multi-storey residential building left in flames and severely damaged. Emergency crews were working to rescue survivors from the debris.
“It was the worst night I’ve ever experienced in our neighbourhood,” said 20-year-old student Alina Shtompel. “The pain our people are going through is beyond words.”
More than three years into the conflict, Russia has intensified its attacks despite U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire. Talks have reached a stalemate—Russia has dismissed Kyiv’s and its allies’ demand for an “unconditional” truce, while Ukraine has rejected Russia’s proposals as inflexible ultimatums.
Diplomatic Hopes Diminish
Mr. Zelenskyy had hoped for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, but Trump left early due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
In Kyiv alone, Russia struck 27 sites overnight, causing widespread power outages. The head of Kyiv’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, later revised the death toll to 14 after two more victims were found in the rubble.
Elsewhere, one person was killed and 10 were injured in the southern city of Odesa, and additional fatalities were reported in the Sumy and Kherson regions. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed the strikes targeted “military-industrial facilities” in Kyiv.
Germany responded by pledging to “increase pressure” on Russia, accusing the Kremlin of using diplomacy as a mere smokescreen. “Putin isn’t looking for peace—he’s demanding surrender,” Germany’s foreign ministry stated on X.
During the bombardment, Kyiv residents huddled in metro stations, sharing updates and comforting pets as drones whirred and explosions rang out overhead.
“I was sleeping when a blast shattered my window. Glass rained down on me,” a local resident recalled.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed that homes, schools, and vital infrastructure were all struck. A 62-year-old U.S. citizen was among the victims in Kyiv’s Solomyansky district.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelenskyy, said the attack was further evidence that Russia was targeting civilians as part of its ongoing assault.
North Korea to Support Russian Reconstruction Efforts
In a separate development, Russian state media reported that North Korea is set to send thousands of military construction workers and de-miners to assist with rebuilding efforts in Russia’s Kursk region, highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries.
Russia’s RIA Novosti quoted senior Russian official Sergei Shoigu, who said 1,000 de-miners and 5,000 construction troops from North Korea will be deployed. Shoigu made the comments during a visit to Pyongyang for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“Following the expulsion of invaders from Russian territory, we’ve agreed to continue cooperation, with North Korea aiding the reconstruction of the Kursk region,” Shoigu said.
North Korea has already supplied Russia with troops and conventional weapons for its war in Ukraine. U.S. and South Korean officials warn that Pyongyang could be seeking advanced Russian military technologies to boost its nuclear arsenal.
The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to Western intelligence and independent monitors.
Despite the inauguration of President Trump prompting renewed U.S. efforts to broker peace, Russian forces have continued to gain ground along the sprawling front line.
