Russian Missile Strike Kills 9 in Kyiv Overnight

Blasts Rock Four Districts of Kyiv as Rescue Teams Search Rubble

Kyiv: A devastating overnight assault involving Russian missiles and drones struck Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing nine and injuring at least 63 people—including six children—Ukrainian officials reported early Thursday.

The Kyiv City Military Administration confirmed the large-scale strike, stating that Russia launched a combination of ballistic missiles and drones that hit four city districts starting around 1:00 am. Fires broke out in multiple residential buildings, and rescue teams continued searching for bodies beneath the rubble.

Fires and Chaos Across Residential Areas

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv military administration, reported fires in Sviatoshynskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Holosiivskyi districts. In Sviatoshynskyi, one residential building was significantly damaged, leading to a fire that forced emergency crews to dig out victims—some alive, some deceased—from the debris.

Survivors Recount Night of Horror

Oksana Bilozir, a local student with a head injury, recounted the terror she felt as explosions followed the air raid alarms.

“I was trying to pack and run to a shelter, but the second blast brought down part of my wall and the lights went out,” she said.

Nearby, 33-year-old Anastasiia Zhuravlova and her two children were showered with glass as blasts shattered windows and flung kitchen appliances across their home.

“We hid in the corridor, then ran to a basement shelter. It was terrifying,” she said.

Attack Follows Breakdown in Peace Talks

The strike occurred just hours after peace talks appeared to stall. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of blocking peace by refusing to cede Crimea. Zelenskyy reiterated that recognizing Russian control over Ukrainian territory is unacceptable.

“I honestly don’t even know how this will all end,” Bilozir said. “No diplomacy works here. Only stopping them on the battlefield can help.”

Emergency Services Still Working

As of early Thursday, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported 42 hospitalizations. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing, with emergency responders battling fires and navigating collapsed buildings to reach those still trapped.

The brutal attack is one of the deadliest in recent weeks, underscoring the relentless nature of Russia’s assault on civilian areas as the war drags on with no diplomatic solution in sight.

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