An overnight missile and drone attack by Russia in Kyiv on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people while they were asleep in their homes, with 44 others injured. This marks one of the deadliest assaults on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, according to local officials. Additionally, Russian drone strikes in the southern port city of Odesa injured 13 individuals, including one child, as reported by regional governor Oleh Kiper.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, reported that 14 individuals lost their lives in the attack, which severely damaged a nine-story residential building and destroyed numerous apartments. Emergency responders were on-site, working to rescue those trapped beneath the debris.
According to Ukraine’s Emergency Service, 44 people sustained injuries. The Kyiv City Military Administration stated in a Tuesday report that Russia deployed 175 drones, over 14 cruise missiles, and at least two ballistic missiles in the assault on Kyiv.
“The damage is characterised by direct hits on residential buildings, with rockets impacting from the upper floors down to the basement,” the statement noted.
The assault lasted almost nine hours and is the most recent in a series of large-scale drone and missile strikes on Kyiv. It took place while world leaders gathered for the Group of Seven meeting in Canada, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to attend. The summit will continue until Tuesday.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko informed reporters on-site that a U.S. citizen lost their life in the attack due to shrapnel injuries. Explosions echoed for hours throughout Tuesday night. Klymenko reported that a ballistic missile hit a residential block, destroying thirty apartments. "We have identified 27 locations that were targeted by the enemy. Currently, more than 2,000 personnel, including rescuers, police, municipal services, and medical staff, are on the ground," he stated at one of the attack sites.
Olena Lapyshniak, 49, was deeply affected by the attack that nearly destroyed her apartment building. She described hearing a whistling sound followed by two explosions that shattered her windows and doors. “It’s horrible, it’s terrifying. In an instant, life can vanish,” she said. “There’s no military infrastructure here, nothing at all. It’s dreadful when people die in the night.”
In the Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi districts of the city, several people were injured. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that fires erupted in two other districts due to debris from drones that were shot down by Ukrainian air defences.
Canada, which is currently holding the G7 presidency, has invited President Zelenskyy to the summit, where he is anticipated to engage in one-on-one discussions with world leaders.
Mr Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Canada on Tuesday. However, the White House announced that Trump would return to Washington unexpectedly on Monday night due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
In recent weeks, Russia has launched an unprecedented number of drones and missiles, escalating its attacks following an audacious operation by Ukraine’s Security Service that targeted warplanes at air bases deep within Russian territory.
Zelenskyy noted that little progress has been made in the direct peace talks held in Istanbul, aside from expected prisoner exchanges, which are set to conclude next week.
