April 24 – A devastating overnight aerial assault on Kyiv has left a deep scar on the Ukrainian capital. Ukrainian officials confirmed that nine people have been killed and more than 70 injured after a combined missile and drone attack struck multiple sites across the city. Among the injured were six children, further highlighting the tragic toll of the strike.
Kyiv Rocked by Night of Horror
Residents of Kyiv were awakened by the sound of explosions and air raid sirens as a wave of Russian drones and missiles targeted key areas in and around the city. The most severe damage occurred in the Sviatoshynskyi district, located to the west of Kyiv’s city center. A powerful blast caused a multi-story residential building to crumble, leaving several residents buried beneath the debris.
Emergency crews responded quickly, working throughout the night with floodlights and sniffer dogs to search for survivors. Rescue personnel could be seen navigating through piles of debris, scaling building exteriors with ladders, and listening closely for mobile phone rings or cries from those possibly still buried beneath the rubble.
“The search continues. We won’t stop until every person is accounted for,” stated Ukraine’s State Emergency Service on the messaging app Telegram. Officials reported that operations were underway at 13 different locations across Kyiv, with more than 40 fires ignited by the attacks.
Destruction and Chaos Across the Capital
The extent of the destruction was widespread. Falling debris and missile fragments caused fires in administrative buildings, garage complexes, and vehicles parked on city streets. Emergency responders were challenged not only by the scale of the damage but also by the continued risk of follow-up attacks.
Mobile phones ringing beneath the rubble added an emotional intensity to the rescue efforts. As responders searched for survivors, they were reminded constantly of lives possibly still waiting to be saved. The air raid alert lasted more than six hours, keeping much of the population in shelters throughout the night.
While Kyiv bore the brunt of the attack, the surrounding regions were also hit. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that at least seven other regions were subjected to similar attacks, suggesting a coordinated and large-scale offensive by Russian forces.
Escalating Tensions Amid Peace Talks
This recent assault comes at a sensitive time in the ongoing war that erupted in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As international calls for a peace settlement increase, tensions have mounted between Ukrainian and American leadership over the direction of those efforts.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were once again at odds, clashing over key issues related to the ongoing conflict. The primary point of contention was Ukraine’s refusal to accept Russia’s continued occupation of Crimea as part of a proposed peace plan by Washington.
President Trump has warned that the U.S. could pull back its diplomatic involvement if both Kyiv and Moscow fail to commit to progress. However, Ukrainian leaders continue to hold their ground, refusing to legitimize Russia’s territorial claims.
“Russia’s demands for Ukraine to surrender its territories, along with these inhumane strikes, clearly show that Moscow, not Kyiv, is the real barrier to peace,” declared Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the social platform X. His comments reflect growing frustration among Ukrainian officials who believe Russia is using violence to force concessions.
Additional Cities Under Attack
The city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest urban center, was also targeted in the coordinated attack. Mayor Ihor Terekhov described a night of relentless assault, with the city being hit 14 times by drones and 10 times by missiles. The strikes damaged residential buildings, a city clinic, a school, private properties, industrial areas, and even a hotel complex. One person was reported hospitalized due to the strikes.
The region of Zhytomyr, located west of Kyiv, suffered its own share of devastation. In a particularly concerning development, Russian forces launched a second strike on emergency responders who were already at the scene of an earlier fire. One rescue worker was injured in this secondary attack, highlighting the growing dangers emergency crews face even after an initial strike has ended.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian railway authorities confirmed that parts of the railway infrastructure were hit. Two railway employees sustained injuries during the attack, though services continued with minimal disruption thanks to swift repair work. Rail lines in both Kyiv and Kharkiv were affected, including damage to technical equipment and administrative buildings.