Kyiv witnessed one of the deadliest nights in recent months as a massive Russian missile and drone assault struck the Ukrainian capital, killing at least 12 people and injuring 48. Among the victims were three children, aged 2, 14, and 17, while authorities warned the toll could rise as rescue workers continued pulling survivors and bodies from beneath the rubble. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys along with 31 different types of missiles across the country, marking one of the largest air offensives since the full-scale invasion began. The strike was particularly shocking as it reached central Kyiv, a rare occurrence, leaving behind collapsed residential blocks, a destroyed shopping mall, and thousands of shattered windows across the city.

Emergency responders rushed to scenes of devastation, battling fires and digging through debris to save lives. Entire families were trapped inside their homes, with bodies later recovered in black bags, while residents watched in anguish, awaiting news of loved ones. Survivors described the horror of hearing screams beneath the wreckage, with some risking their lives to pull neighbors to safety. Nearly 100 buildings across seven districts were damaged, and Ukraine’s railway operator reported widespread infrastructure destruction, causing significant transport disruptions. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 563 drones and 26 missiles, but the scale of Russia’s offensive highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of civilians living under constant threat of airstrikes.

The attack comes amid faltering diplomatic efforts to end the war, despite a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Hopes for peace talks have dwindled as Western leaders accuse Moscow of stalling while intensifying its offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the latest strikes as “inhuman” and urged harsher international sanctions to cripple Russia’s war economy. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have intercepted more than 100 Ukrainian drones targeting its oil refineries overnight, underscoring the tit-for-tat nature of the escalating conflict. With negotiations stalled and civilian casualties mounting, Kyiv’s residents fear more such brutal nights lie ahead.