Ukraine is bracing for more massive Russian strikes on the capital after at least four people were killed in the latest wave of attacks, part of a record 1,500 strikes in just 24 hours. At least four people died and 44 were injured, including children, earlier today in the latest horror onslaught of close to 800 drones and missiles, following over 700 on Wednesday.
Putin's Desperate Bid for Dominance
The cruel attacks are aimed at imposing dominance during a key US presidential visit to Beijing, Ukrainian leaders charged. One senior Ukrainian source told the Mirror: “Vladimir Putin is trying to express dominance in the war as he becomes desperate to bring it to an end that favours him. He is hoping to impress upon world leaders, mainly Trump, that Russia has the upper hand, and Ukraine is expecting similar escalations in the coming days.”
Kyiv Apartment Block Destroyed
One Kyiv apartment block was almost entirely forced to collapse by the onslaught of 675 drones and 56 bombs, including Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Kh-101 cruise missiles. Hundreds of rescuers are still involved in life-saving missions to dig out the wounded and dead from strike sites throughout Ukraine, as the attack was branded ‘barbaric.’ It is the third consecutive day that Ukraine has suffered civilian deaths as Russia’s Vladimir Putin faces immense pressure to end the conflict.
The Thursday outrage is among the largest attacks Russia has launched since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Rescuers are involved in a major search and rescue operation amongst the rubble of a nine-storey high-rise apartment block in Kyiv that was hit overnight. Over 1,000 rescuers and police officers are working on the aftermath of Russia's overnight attacks, almost 600 of them in Kyiv.
International Reaction
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha slammed Putin for the “barbaric attack,” which he said showed Moscow was pursuing “aggression and terror” over peace. He said the attack had taken place during a crucial summit between US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping, adding: “I am certain that the leaders of the United States and China have enough leverage over Moscow to tell Putin to finally end the war.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko said 18 apartments in one block had been destroyed. He stated: “A nine-story residential building in Darnytskyi district. Eighteen apartments have been destroyed. Rescuers continue clearing the rubble, where people may still be trapped.”
Psychological Warfare
Elkhan Nuriyev, a member of Ukraine’s Officers’ Union, said the attacks reflect Russia’s broader effort to wear down Ukrainian defenses while maximizing psychological pressure on civilians. He said: “Drones have been coming in waves for more than 30 hours. They usually launch missiles at night, when people are asleep, to cause maximum disruption and anxiety. Putin wants them to say at the negotiating table in Beijing: ‘Look, Russia is finishing off Ukraine.’ It is deliberately calculated to project an illusion of Russian dominance.”
