At least 13 people were killed and over 85 others injured after an 11-hour Russian missile and drone barrage battered Ukraine's capital overnight into Thursday, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of a massive assault. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed the mounting toll, with emergency crews working continuously to reach survivors trapped under rubble.
Widespread Destruction Across Kyiv
The expansive overnight bombardment triggered destruction across 30 distinct locations in the capital. Casualties included at least one child, alongside multiple emergency personnel injured when an ambulance substation was hit. “There have been very significant direct hits on residential buildings, where, unfortunately, the bodies of the deceased are being recovered from under the rubble,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city's military administration.
Russia Acknowledges Massive Strike
The Russian Ministry of Defence acknowledged the large-scale operation, stating its military launched a “massive strike using high-precision, long-range weapons,” including drones, targeting military and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and the Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions. However, Ukrainian authorities disputed this narrative, presenting evidence that the strikes intentionally hit civilian neighbourhoods and non-military sites.
Ukraine Appeals for Air Defense
Following the assault, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha issued an urgent appeal on social media for immediate deliveries of air defence systems and missiles, increased sanctions pressure, and critical energy assistance. He condemned the strikes as grave war crimes, warning the death toll could rise as search operations proceed. “Do not delay decisions on air defense for Ukraine! This is our main request to our partners after Kyiv suffered a night of horror. At least 10 people have been killed as a result of Russia's brutal attack against the Ukrainian capital with all types of missiles and drones. Sadly, this number may further rise,” Sybiha wrote.
Sybiha also pushed back against attempts to rationalize the Kremlin's aggression: “It is immoral to justify Russian atrocities against Ukrainians by saying that Moscow acts in response to Ukraine's long-range strikes against Russia. In this war, there is an aggressor and a country defending itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Russia has no right to make any strikes against Ukraine, while Ukraine has every right to respond, defend from the aggressor, and strike any legitimate military targets in Russia.”
Context of Escalating Conflict
The strike came as Ukraine intensified long-range drone strikes on Moscow, targeted Russian fuel supplies, and launched strikes on Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war. Speaking in Ireland before returning to Ukraine, Zelensky said, “Putin wants to keep fighting. That is why he must face conditions that make it impossible for him to keep this war going.” Earlier on June 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned the US over continued military assistance to Ukraine, noting such actions could lead to “unforeseen consequences” for regional and global stability.
