Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Kyiv with drones and missiles, killing 15 people and damaging residential buildings in seven districts as well as the European Union mission building, Reuters reported, citing Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike demonstrated Russia’s stance toward U.S.-led diplomatic efforts by President Donald Trump to end the war. “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported 38 people injured as rescue teams continued to search through rubble for victims and firefighters battled blazes sparked by the strikes. He also announced that Friday, Aug. 29, will be observed as a day of mourning in the capital to honor the victims.
The European Union confirmed that the building hosting its mission in Kyiv was among those damaged. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the British Council building in the capital was also hit. Explosions lit up the night sky during a nine-hour air raid alert, with columns of smoke rising from multiple neighborhoods amid the buzzing of drones.
Across Ukraine, Russian attacks struck 13 sites, the military said. Ukraine’s national grid operator, Ukrenergo, reported energy facilities were hit, causing localized blackouts. A railway hub in the Vinnytsia region was damaged, cutting power to 60,000 residents after a strike on critical infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it had shot down 563 of the 598 drones and 26 of the 31 missiles launched by Russia. Thirteen sites in Kyiv were struck, with debris falling in 26 locations.
Russia denied targeting civilians. The Defense Ministry said its overnight strikes targeted Ukrainian air bases and defense industry enterprises, using long-range precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and strike drones. Moscow also reported that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 102 Ukrainian drones aimed at at least seven regions inside Russia.
(Agencies)
