In the early hours of Thursday morning, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was rocked by a wave of deadly missile and drone strikes launched by Russian forces, leaving at least nine people dead and 21 others injured in one of the most devastating assaults on the city in recent months.
Among the injured were three children and a pregnant woman, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attack. Emergency responders rushed to several locations across the city, where residential buildings, a hospital, and critical infrastructure were reported to have sustained significant damage.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the strikes began around 3:00 a.m. local time, with explosions heard in multiple districts of Kyiv. Air raid sirens wailed for over two hours as Ukrainian air defense systems scrambled to intercept the barrage. According to initial military reports, a combination of cruise missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones were used in the attack, overwhelming some defensive positions.
The timing and scale of the assault have drawn sharp condemnation both domestically and internationally. Ukrainian officials described the bombardment as a “blatant escalation” and a “deliberate act of terror against civilians,” especially poignant given that it comes 44 days after Ukraine publicly accepted a ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States—an initiative Russia has yet to formally acknowledge or respect.
“This is a grim reminder that Putin’s regime continues to choose violence over dialogue,” said Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Even when Ukraine pursues peace, Russia responds with bloodshed.”
In response to the attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced the closure of schools and government buildings for the day, urging residents to remain in shelters and avoid unnecessary travel. Volunteers and first responders have also been mobilized to provide emergency assistance and psychological support to victims.
The international community has reacted with outrage. The European Union and several NATO member states have reiterated their support for Ukraine, while calls for renewed sanctions and military aid have intensified.
As the war drags on and the civilian toll mounts, Thursday’s strike serves as a grim symbol of the continuing volatility of the conflict. For Kyiv’s residents, it’s another tragic chapter in a war that shows no sign of relenting—despite growing global efforts to bring it to an end.
