Ukraine is enduring a second consecutive day of intense Russian missile and drone attacks, with Kyiv experiencing the heaviest assault, resulting in at least five fatalities and 44 injuries in the capital. The overnight strikes followed a series of daylight attacks on Wednesday, described as one of the longest single assaults of the war.
Details of the Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the casualties in a social media statement, calling for a just response to the strikes. The assault began at 3 am on Thursday, with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles launched by Moscow. Explosions echoed across Kyiv, disrupting water and power supplies in the eastern part of the city.
Ukraine's air force reported that the attack involved 56 missiles of various types and nearly 700 drones. In a separate incident, Russian drones struck a UN vehicle in the southern city of Kherson.
Casualties and Damage
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that a large apartment block collapsed in the Darnytskyi district, destroying 18 apartments. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 11 people rescued so far. Forty people were injured in the capital, including two children, with 31 hospitalized. Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko noted that more than 10 people are still missing.
Wednesday's daytime raids killed at least 14 people and injured over 80. These attacks reportedly included double-tap strikes targeting first responders and hit two dozen sites linked to Ukraine's railway system and critical infrastructure.
Political Implications
The scale and intensity of the Russian attacks undermine recent claims by US President Donald Trump that a peace deal is close. Trump stated, "The end of the war in Ukraine I really think is getting very close," following remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the war may be ending. However, the ongoing assaults suggest otherwise.
In a related development, Hungary summoned Russia's ambassador after strikes near its border, reflecting a shift in diplomatic relations under new Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
Air Defence Concerns
Zelenskyy described the raids as one of the most massive Russian attacks, warning that Moscow aims to overwhelm Ukraine's air defences by swarming with drones and missiles. He suggested the attacks were intended to spoil the political atmosphere during Trump's visit to China.
Despite the attacks, Ukraine's battlefield prospects have improved recently, with domestically developed drone technology now offering expertise to other nations.
