A significant Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals and left over 70 injured. This attack occurred shortly after peace talks had reportedly stalled without a resolution. US President Donald Trump directed criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alleging that his refusal to forfeit the Russian-occupied Crimea Peninsula was prolonging the conflict.
Zelenskyy has consistently stated that acknowledging occupied zones as Russian territory is unacceptable for Ukraine. He emphasised that Ukraine had accepted a US ceasefire proposal 44 days earlier as an initial step towards peace, yet Russia continued its aggressions. Despite ongoing negotiations, Russian forces have targeted other Ukrainian regions, including Sumy, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
Residents in Kyiv spent the night in shelters as the Russian attack, which began at around 1am, struck multiple suburbs, causing extensive damage. At least 42 people required hospital treatment, and rescue teams were dispatched to search through the debris of damaged homes. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos, with one individual, Oksana Bilozir, recalling the moment of the explosion that devastated her home.
During these harrowing events, families huddled together in public shelters, some bringing their pets for safety. Nearby regions also faced aerial bombardments throughout the night.
Amidst this turmoil, President Zelenskyy was finishing a visit to South Africa, where he sought support to help resolve the ongoing war. He expressed a commitment to returning to Kyiv promptly, highlighting the urgent nature of the situation at home.
The UN condemned the missile strikes in Kyiv, labelling them as a grievous violation of international humanitarian law, reiterating that civilians should never be targets in warfare. Another civilian, Anastasiia Zhuravlova, described how her family sought refuge in a shelter after their home was damaged by explosions, noting the terrifying reality they faced.
As the situation in Kyiv remains tense, local and international calls for a cessation of violence grow louder, reflecting the urgent need for resolution in enduring conflict.