Deadly new Russian drone and missile attack hits Kyiv

 

A deadly overnight Russian aerial assault has hit Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, with President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming the deaths of two people and injuries to at least 16 more. The attack featured 18 missiles and approximately 400 drones, marking one of the largest combined air raids since the war began. Targets across the city were struck, particularly in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where falling drone debris set fire to a residential building. Fires also broke out in several areas, and a primary healthcare center in Podilsky was nearly destroyed.

Authorities urged Kyiv residents to remain in shelters during the hours-long air raid, and to keep windows closed due to heavy smoke. The city's air defences were active for more than three hours during the barrage. A 68-year-old woman and a 22-year-old police officer lost their lives, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

This follows Tuesday night’s even larger wave of attacks  reportedly the biggest so far  with Ukraine saying 728 drones and 13 missiles hit multiple cities nationwide. Kyiv was not the only area affected: police confirmed drone strikes hit eight districts across the capital.

While Ukraine's emergency services worked to contain damage and casualties, Russia’s military made no public statement. Elsewhere, three more people died in an air strike in the eastern town of Kostiantynivka.

This ongoing escalation highlights how far both sides are from a diplomatic resolution. The situation has grown more volatile as Russia intensifies its use of drone warfare, overwhelming Ukrainian air defence systems.

The US has resumed weapons shipments to Ukraine, and Kyiv’s international allies, including those in Europe and the US, are focusing once again on bolstering Ukraine's defences. The international community is watching closely as fears grow over a potential new phase of conflict.

The latest Russian attack on Kyiv comes at a time of growing diplomatic deadlock. While hopes for peace talks continue to fade, global powers are shifting their attention back to deterrence and punishment strategies. In recent comments, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that diplomacy had "run its course," echoing the Kremlin's own sentiment that there is little room left for negotiation.

In the US, President Donald Trump voiced frustration with President Vladimir Putin, despite maintaining a previously cordial tone. “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin,” Trump remarked, while adding that Putin's friendliness had proved "meaningless." The Kremlin responded calmly, saying Trump's remarks reflect his usual blunt style of speaking.

Trump, although threatening sanctions against Russia since taking office, has not yet implemented any. However, bipartisan lawmakers in the US are currently working on legislation that would target countries such as China and India for continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas — a move Trump suggested he may support.

Meanwhile, Europe is drafting a fresh sanctions package aimed at isolating Moscow economically. These developments are expected to be key topics at the two-day international conference on Ukraine’s recovery, beginning Thursday in Rome. Delegates from 77 countries will attend, underscoring global interest in Ukraine's long-term stability.

Attention is also turning back to Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace. With Russia deploying hundreds of drones in increasingly large and frequent waves, Ukraine's need for advanced air defence systems is urgent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a summit in Malaysia on Thursday, although expectations for any breakthrough remain low.

The war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, continues with no end in sight and the human cost continues to climb.

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