Russian Strikes on Kyiv and Odesa Kill 14 Amid Zelenskyy’s UK Visit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian overnight airstrikes—352 drones/decoys, 11 ballistic missiles, and five cruise missiles—killed at least 14 civilians and injured dozens across Ukraine, including nine in Kyiv after a residential building collapsed. President Zelenskyy met King Charles III in the UK to discuss defense support and renewed pressure on Russia. In southern Ukraine, an Odesa high school was destroyed, killing two staff members despite being empty of students.
Quick Look
- Massive Russian barrage overnight: 352 drones, 11 ballistic missiles, plus five cruise missiles fired; over 350 intercepted.
- Major civilian toll: Kyiv high-rise collapse kills nine, dozens rescued; Odesa school destroyed, two staffers killed.
- Zelenskyy in London: Met with King Charles III and PM Keir Starmer to coordinate defense and NATO strategy.
Russian Strikes on Kyiv and Odesa Kill 14 Amid Zelenskyy’s UK Visit
Deep Look
Scope and Scale of the Attack
Russian forces launched a massive overnight strike, with Ukraine’s air force confirming the use or attempted use of 352 drones and decoys, alongside 11 ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles. Ukraine’s air defenses reportedly intercepted or jammed 339 drones and 15 missiles before they could reach critical targets.
Kyiv: Direct Hits and Rescue Operations
In the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, a partial collapse of a five-story apartment building resulted in nine fatalities. Dozens more were injured, including a pregnant woman. Kyiv officials, including Mayor Vitali Klitschko, coordinated rescue efforts, with emergency teams reaching victims trapped in nearby damaged high-rises. The assault also damaged stations like Sviatoshyn subway, which serve as essential civilian shelters.
Odesa Tragically Struck
A separate ballistic missile hit a high school in Odesa, taking the lives of two staffers but thankfully sparing children, as classes were paused for summer break. President Zelenskyy called it “absolutely insane,” underscoring the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Broader Regional Impact
Additional strikes were reported in Chernihiv—killing two and injuring ten, including three children—and in Bila Tserkva, with one fatality and eight injured. Ukrainian defense forces claimed to have shot down 23 incoming drones attributed to Kyiv’s own military response.
Zelenskyy’s UK Diplomatic Mission
Arriving in London, President Zelenskyy met King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss Ukraine’s defense needs and strategies ahead of the NATO summit. He emphasized leveraging civilian and military support to pressure Russian forces and criticized Russia’s attack methods, warning of their intent to demoralize the Ukrainian populace.
Military and Geopolitical Context
Russia’s overnight strikes appear timed to coincide with Zelenskyy’s diplomatic engagement, suggesting strategic intent. The Institute for the Study of War highlights Russia’s reliance on massed infantry advances despite Ukraine’s effective drone-led defense system. Zelenskyy accused Russia of using North Korean missiles and partnering in a “coalition of murderers,” including Iran and North Korea, to target civilians.
Civilian Resilience and International Response
Despite the escalating threat, Kyiv residents displayed resilience. Some, like Ofer Berger, described the scene as akin to a “typhoon,” but praised rescue efforts. Reinforced safe rooms (“mamads”) proved lifesaving in Odesa, safeguarding vulnerable residents. France’s foreign minister condemned the attacks as “unlimited cruelty” and urged additional EU sanctions.
Casualties and Humanitarian Challenges
Ukraine must also identify and repatriate bodies from Russia—some believed to be misidentified—highlighting the grim administrative burdens of war. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed at least five Russian servicemen were recovered, with identification ongoing.
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