The deadliest assault on Kyiv in nine months has drawn condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump and escalated tensions surrounding an already fragile ceasefire push between Russia and Ukraine.
In the early hours of Thursday, Moscow launched 70 missiles and 145 drones in a widespread strike across Ukraine, with Kyiv bearing the brunt.
The assault left at least eight people dead, injured more than 60, and caused extensive damage to residential and civilian infrastructure across 13 locations in the capital. Emergency services continue to search for people feared trapped under rubble.
The bombardment marked the most severe in Kyiv since July 2024, when a similar aerial campaign killed 33 people, including patients in a hospital. Thursday’s attacks reignited fear across the capital, where residents spent nearly six hours sheltering as sirens blared.
“The first thing I felt was fear,” said Iryna Dzen, a resident of one of the targeted neighborhoods. “You are alive, but your parents, children, you don’t know if they are alive.”
Trump to Putin: “STOP!”
Trump responded sharply to the strikes on Wednesday, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin directly via Truth Social.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump posted, urging an end to hostilities and renewed momentum for a ceasefire.
The president’s remarks come as he attempts to pressure both sides—particularly Ukraine—into accepting a contentious ceasefire agreement, a move Ukrainian leadership has met with caution.
Zelensky: Attack Aimed at Pressuring the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in South Africa at the time of the strike, cut his trip short to return to Kyiv. He said the attack was “first and foremost” intended to influence Washington.
“It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening,” Zelensky said. He added that Ukraine would immediately reach out to international partners for increased air defense support.
Pushing back against Trump’s ceasefire push, Zelensky maintained that Kyiv is only willing to negotiate after a full cessation of hostilities.
“The fact that Ukraine is ready to sit down at a negotiating table after (a) full ceasefire with terrorists … is a big compromise,” he said.
Russia: “All Targets Were Hit”
Moscow confirmed the attacks through its defense ministry, stating it had launched “a massive strike with high-precision long-range air, land and sea-based weapons,” including drones.
According to the ministry, the targets were key components of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex—ranging from aviation and missile production to rocket fuel and gunpowder manufacturing facilities. “The strike objectives were achieved. All targets were hit,” the statement said.
Search and Rescue Efforts Continue
Ukrainian authorities remain on high alert as emergency crews, engineers, and rescue dogs comb through the debris in areas like the Sviatoshyn district. Among the confirmed casualties were a 21-year-old man and his 19-year-old sister, according to Zelensky.
Meanwhile, residents like Dzen are still grappling with the psychological toll.
“You don’t understand anything when you wake up at night from an explosion,” she told CNN. “We went to the corridor, it was safer there, and started calling our relatives … and when we came (outside) and saw everything, it was a horror.”
As Ukraine braces for further strikes and ongoing diplomatic pressure, Thursday’s attack underscores the difficult path ahead for any peace negotiations—and the human cost of delay.
