Kyiv, Ukraine. Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as its deadliest attack so far this year on Kyiv and other cities overnight, killing 16 people, including a 12-year-old child, and wounding scores.
Casualties reported in Kyiv, Odesa and Dnipro
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said four people, including the child, were killed in the capital. Regional officials said nine people were killed in Odesa and two in the southeastern city of Dnipro, where attacks set residential buildings ablaze. Prosecutors put the number of injured in Kyiv at 54.
Fires and damage reported across the capital
Officials said fires burned out of control in parts of Kyiv, sending black smoke into the night sky as firefighters struggled to control multiple blazes. By morning, residents and emergency crews were cleaning debris scattered around heavily damaged buildings.
Air force reports interceptions and impacts
Ukraine’s air force said air force units shot down or neutralised 31 missiles and 636 drones. It said 12 missiles and 20 drones hit in the 24 hours to 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Thursday.
Zelenskiy and officials urge continued pressure on Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the night showed Russia did not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions, and said 100 people were wounded alongside those killed. He called for pressure on Russia to continue and for assistance to Ukraine to be delivered on time.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said rescue operations were ongoing and the toll could rise. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged the international community to act, writing on X that decisions required to increase pressure on Russia should be unblocked and that delays to sanctions or support packages were “immoral, counterproductive, and dangerous.”
Additional attack reported in Kyiv
Klitschko said Kyiv came under another attack early on Thursday, adding that a drone flying very low struck an 18-storey building.
How do you assess the impact of these attacks on international support for Ukraine?
