In a significant overnight assault, Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals and leaving 16 others injured, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The assault comprised 18 missiles and approximately 400 drones, with a primary focus on the capital, according to Zelensky’s statement.
For three hours, residents experienced disrupted sleep as drones and missiles targeted the capital. In Kyiv, officials reported that debris from a drone struck the roof of a residential building, resulting in multiple fires throughout the city.
In June, Ukraine experienced its highest monthly civilian casualties in three years, with the United Nations reporting 232 fatalities and 1,343 injuries.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, reports from Ukraine’s police indicated that Russian drone strikes targeted eight districts within Kyiv.
“Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouses, office spaces, and non-residential structures are engulfed in flames,” stated administration head Tymur Tkachenko in a Telegram post.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has confirmed the tragic deaths of a 68-year-old woman and a 22-year-old police officer at a metro station.
Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that a primary healthcare centre in Kyiv’s Podilsky district has been “almost completely destroyed”.
Residents of the city were advised to remain sheltered until the air raid siren was deactivated. They were also instructed to close their windows upon returning home due to the presence of significant smoke in Kyiv.
In a recent update, Ukraine’s air force has issued a warning regarding potential Russian drone attacks across several regions. The situation outside Kyiv remains uncertain, with no immediate information available regarding potential casualties.
The Russian military has yet to state the recent attack that has been reported.
Ukraine reported that the country experienced its largest Russian aerial assault on Tuesday night, with 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles targeting various cities nationwide.
In June, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) in Ukraine reported that Russia conducted ten times more “missile and loitering munitions attacks” against Ukraine compared to the same month last year.
The HRMMU reported that civilians suffered fatalities or injuries across at least 16 regions of the country, including Kyiv.
“Civilians throughout Ukraine are enduring levels of suffering not witnessed in more than three years,” stated Ms Danielle Bell, head of the HRMMU. “The increase in long-range missile and drone strikes throughout the nation has resulted in heightened death and devastation for civilians located far from the frontline.”
On Wednesday evening, a Russian air strike in the town of Kostiantynivka, situated near the front line in eastern Ukraine, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, according to the country’s emergency service, DSNS.
Zelensky stated, “Russia is clearly intensifying its acts of terror.” There is an urgent need for a more rapid implementation of sanctions and increased pressure on Russia, ensuring that the nation experiences the consequences of its acts of terror. There is an urgent call for partners to accelerate their investments in weapons production and technological development.
On Thursday, he announced plans to engage with partners regarding further financing for the production of interceptor drones and air defense supplies.
According to a report by Reuters late on Wednesday, the United States has restarted the delivery of certain weapons to Ukraine, just days after it paused shipments of key air defence systems.
The recent attack underscores the increasingly remote prospects of achieving a diplomatic breakthrough.
On Wednesday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany declared that all avenues of diplomacy had been thoroughly explored. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, expressed similar sentiments earlier this week.
US President Donald Trump appears to be growing more impatient with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“A significant amount of misinformation is being directed at us by Putin, to be frank,” Trump stated during a press conference on Tuesday. “He consistently displays kindness towards us, yet it ultimately proves to be devoid of significance.”
Peskov stated that Moscow remains “pretty calm about this”. Trump’s manner of speaking is often characterised by a certain harshness, particularly evident in the phrases he employs.
Despite regular communication between the two leaders, there has yet to be any significant progress towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, a goal that Trump previously claimed he could accomplish in just one day.
Since assuming office in January, Trump has consistently threatened to impose sanctions on Russia; however, no such measures have been enacted to date.
A bipartisan bill is currently advancing in Congress aimed at imposing penalties on nations, such as China and India, that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. Trump indicated that he may lend his support to it.
Kyiv’s allies are refocusing their efforts on strategies to safeguard Ukraine and hold Russia accountable, as Europe develops a new set of sanctions.
A two-day conference focused on Ukraine’s recovery is set to commence on Thursday in Rome, with delegates from 77 countries expected to participate in discussions surrounding the issue.
As Russia intensifies its drone assaults on Ukraine, the focus on strategies to safeguard Ukraine’s airspace is likely to gain prominence in discussions.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is anticipated to engage in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a summit taking place in Malaysia.
In February 2022, Putin initiated a comprehensive military invasion of Ukraine.
