Russia missile attack on Kyiv has left at least 17 people dead, including four children, and dozens injured after one of the most devastating overnight strikes in recent months. The assault destroyed homes, offices, and diplomatic premises, including facilities linked to the European Union and the British Council.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched a total of 629 aerial weapons during the night, consisting of 598 drones and 31 missiles. Despite Ukraine’s defence systems intercepting the majority, three ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles struck heavily populated areas of the capital.
One of the worst-affected locations was Kyiv’s eastern Darnytskyi district. A five-storey apartment building collapsed after being struck, killing 12 residents. Among them were three children aged 2, 14, and 17. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, another person died after an explosion damaged office buildings housing the EU delegation and the British Council. The identity of the 17th victim has not yet been confirmed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, stating that Russia had chosen weapons instead of peace. “It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war,” he said.
Ukrainian rescue services deployed more than 500 emergency workers and 1,000 police officers to assist survivors and secure damaged sites. The overnight attack lasted more than nine hours, forcing residents to shelter in underground metro stations. Authorities confirmed that at least ten people remain missing.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that 38 individuals were injured and that vital infrastructure was damaged, including kindergartens, offices, and transport hubs. He described the assault as the deadliest strike on Kyiv so far this month.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared Friday as a day of mourning. He described the attack as barbaric and confirmed that destruction spread across at least seven districts. Recovery operations are expected to take significant time.
The attack also damaged European diplomatic offices. EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of deliberately escalating the war. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU offices in Kyiv suffered severe damage but reported no staff casualties.
“This was not just an attack on Ukraine but also an attack on the European Union,” von der Leyen stated.
The British Council confirmed that its office in Kyiv was damaged and that one staff member was injured. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned the strikes, saying that Putin was killing civilians and children while sabotaging peace efforts.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of breaching the Vienna Convention by targeting diplomatic facilities. Both the EU and the UK have summoned Russian ambassadors in protest.
In response, Ukrainian forces targeted oil refineries in Russia’s Krasnodar and Samara regions. Fires were confirmed at both locations. Russia’s defence ministry admitted to intercepting 102 Ukrainian drones overnight but made no mention of civilian deaths in Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia remained open to diplomacy but defended the airstrikes as part of military operations. Moscow’s official reports only referred to targets in eastern Ukraine, avoiding mention of Kyiv.
The missile and drone assault comes amid stalled negotiations. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Ukrainian officials in New York to discuss potential security guarantees. The Ukrainian delegation will include Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umerov.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump held separate meetings with Zelensky and Putin, though no joint summit has been confirmed. Washington has expressed support for a European-led security force to protect Ukrainian sovereignty and strengthen air defence.
Meanwhile, China announced that President Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing next week for a military parade hosted by Xi Jinping. Other expected guests include North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and European leaders aligned closely with Moscow, such as Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakia’s Robert Fico.
Zelensky warned that international pressure must be stepped up. “Russia still does not fear consequences,” he wrote on social media. “Some countries continue to look the other way. We need action.”
