In one of the heaviest aerial bombardments since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago, at least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. The attack began before midnight and continued for over nine hours into Tuesday morning, forcing residents to seek shelter underground. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that Russia launched 440 drones and 32 missiles across Ukraine, with 27 districts of Kyiv targeted. A nine-storey apartment building was among the hardest hit, resulting in multiple casualties, including a 62-year-old US citizen. The Ukrainian air defense responded with machine gun fire against the barrage of drones, but emergency teams were repeatedly disrupted by renewed air sirens as they attempted to rescue survivors trapped under rubble.
The overnight assault, described as “pure terrorism” by President Volodymyr Zelensky, was part of a growing pattern of large-scale drone and missile strikes meant to overwhelm Ukraine’s defenses. The tactic is believed to be an attempt by Moscow to exhaust Ukrainian resources and morale, while direct diplomatic engagement between the two sides has failed to bring any meaningful resolution. In addition to Kyiv, a drone strike hit the southern port city of Odesa, killing one person and wounding at least 10 others. President Zelensky sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating the strikes were being carried out “solely because he can afford to continue this war,” and lamented that global leaders were not doing enough to hold Moscow accountable. “It is the terrorists who should feel the pain, not normal, peaceful people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed its own air defenses had intercepted 147 Ukrainian drones overnight. The escalation comes at a politically sensitive time, as Ukraine had hoped to engage directly with US President Donald Trump during the G7 summit in Canada to discuss strategic military support. However, Trump cut short his visit due to rising tensions in the Middle East, dealing a blow to Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts. Despite this, the UK and other Western allies are expected to announce fresh sanctions on Russia, as part of continued pressure to end the war. With Ukrainian cities increasingly under siege, and the war grinding on with no clear end in sight, the human cost of the conflict continues to rise sharply — leaving cities like Kyiv to bear the brunt of a brutal and unrelenting campaign.
