KYIV:At least 19 people were killed and over 100 wounded in a massive wave of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, as the war drags into its fifth year with no breakthrough in peace negotiations.
Explosions were heard throughout the night in Kyiv, with thick black smoke rising by early morning. The strikes hit residential areas, damaging apartment buildings and causing widespread casualties.
Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking during a visit to Europe, described it as “a really hard night” and urged continued international pressure on Russia. He stressed that the attack showed Moscow does not deserve any easing of sanctions. European Council President António Costa condemned the assault, accusing Russia of deliberately targeting civilians and calling it a “horrendous attack.”
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 659 drones and 44 missiles in a prolonged assault stretching from Wednesday into Thursday morning. Moscow, however, claimed it targeted military and energy infrastructure. In retaliation, Ukraine has intensified its own long-range strikes inside Russia. Officials in southern Russia reported that two people, including a child, were killed in overnight Ukrainian attacks, while Russian forces claimed to have intercepted over 200 drones.
In Kyiv alone, Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed four deaths, including a 12-year-old boy, and at least 62 injuries as emergency crews continued rescue operations.
