At least 14 people were killed and over 55 injured in a wave of Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv overnight, marking the deadliest assault on Ukraine’s capital in recent weeks. The strikes, which began late Monday and continued into the early hours of Tuesday, triggered continuous air raid sirens and widespread panic among residents.
According to Ukrainian officials, the barrage targeted multiple districts in Kyiv, causing extensive damage to residential buildings and public infrastructure. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed that more than 40 of the injured were hospitalized, adding that rescue operations were ongoing and the death toll could still rise. “We hope that no dead will be found under the rubble, but we cannot rule it out,” he said.
Among the dead was a 62-year-old U.S. citizen, who perished in the Solomyanskyi district, Klitschko said via Telegram. Footage from the scene showed destroyed vehicles, smoldering debris, and partially collapsed buildings, with emergency responders sifting through rubble in search of survivors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that over 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched across the country, with 27 locations hit in Kyiv alone. Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko emphasized that police, medics, and rescue crews were “doing everything they can to help the victims, clear the rubble and save lives.”
The latest attack comes amid a broader escalation in Russia’s aerial campaign against Ukraine. In April, similar strikes killed at least 12 and wounded 90. Tuesday’s assault underscores the persistent threat to Ukrainian civilians as the war grinds into its third year.
The strikes coincided with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected early departure from the G7 summit in Canada, where he had been scheduled to meet with President Zelensky. The canceled meeting would have marked the third between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office in January. Kyiv had hoped for a show of support amid increasing signs of U.S. reluctance to provide direct military assistance.
In a parallel development, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on a “special mission” from President Vladimir Putin. According to Russian state media, Shoigu is expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea has supplied Russia with military equipment, including missiles and ammunition, in exchange for technological cooperation, drawing warnings from the United States about potential transfers of advanced satellite technology.
As Ukrainian cities brace for further attacks, officials warn that international support remains critical. The latest assault underscores both the human cost of the conflict and the shifting dynamics of global alliances amid war.
Written By Rodney Mbua
