Russian Missile, Drone Strike Kyiv Kills 15, Injures 156 Civilians/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Russian overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed 15 and injured at least 156 civilians. Residential buildings were struck directly, including a nine-story complex, in one of the war’s deadliest Kyiv strikes. President Zelenskyy condemned the assault as Russia dismissed ceasefire efforts.
Kyiv Drone Strike Quick Looks
- Casualties rise: 15 dead, 156 injured in massive overnight Russian strike on Ukraine’s capital.
- Residential target: A nine-story apartment building demolished in one of Kyiv’s deadliest assaults.
- Record barrage: Over 440 drones, 32 missiles launched by Russia in extended bombardment.
- U.S. citizen among dead: Ukraine confirms shrapnel-related death of an American in Kyiv.
- Peace talks uncertain: Russia rejects ceasefire while striking Kyiv during global summit.
- Kyiv in mourning: Official day of mourning declared as rescue efforts continue.
Russian Missile, Drone Strike Kyiv Kills 15, Injures 156 Civilians
Deep Look
Russian Missiles Devastate Kyiv
In one of the deadliest attacks on Ukraine’s capital in months, 15 people were killed and 156 injured after Russia unleashed an intense overnight barrage using 440 drones and 32 missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. A key impact site was a nine-story residential building, which was entirely demolished, destroying at least 30 apartments and killing 14 people in that structure alone. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko declared a day of mourning on Wednesday.
Aerial Assault Hits Civilians
Air raid sirens wailed for nearly nine hours as explosions thundered across Kyiv. The strikes impacted several neighborhoods, including Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi, and started fires across the capital.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that 27 separate impact locations were recorded. Emergency crews—including 2,000 personnel from police, fire, and municipal services—were deployed in full force.
U.S. Citizen Killed in Attack
Among the fatalities was a U.S. citizen, who succumbed to shrapnel wounds, marking one of the first known American civilian deaths in Kyiv during this phase of the conflict. The blast from a ballistic missile shattered the individual’s residential unit, according to Klymenko.
Emotional Testimonies From Survivors
Olena Lapyshniak, 49, recounted the horror: “A whistling sound, then explosions blew out the windows and doors. There’s no military base here—just homes. In a second, everything was gone.”
Many residents echoed her sentiment, insisting there were no military installations in the area targeted.
Political Fallout and War Fatigue
The attack came just hours after two failed peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as the war drags into its fourth year.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted there’s currently no scheduled plan for further talks. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy was expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Canada, but Trump returned early to Washington due to Middle East tensions.
Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to prolong the conflict: “He strikes our capital while pretending to talk peace.”
Ukraine Strikes Back
Ukraine responded with domestically produced drones, targeting Russian infrastructure. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, 203 Ukrainian drones were shot down across 10 Russian regions overnight.
These counter-attacks led to temporary flight suspensions at Moscow airports and regional airfields in Kaluga, Tambov, and Nizhny Novgorod, as confirmed by Rosaviatsia, Russia’s civil aviation agency.
Escalating Warfront and Global Distraction
This escalation follows Ukraine’s June 1 sabotage operation targeting Russian warplanes deep within Russian borders. As Russia pushes a summer offensive on Ukraine’s eastern front, Western leaders grow increasingly concerned.
Uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy and military aid continues to cast doubt on Kyiv’s ability to sustain its defense. Trump’s recent statement suggesting it might be better to let the war “play out” has also raised eyebrows among European allies, who continue pressing for a ceasefire.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.