6 killed, 52 injured in Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv
In a horrific escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv from late Wednesday night to early Thursday morning. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, at least six people, including a six-year-old child, were tragically killed and more than 52 others were injured in the attack.
A Night of Devastation in Kyiv
The attack was one of the deadliest to hit Kiev in recent weeks. A large section of a nine-story residential building collapsed, throwing a quiet residential area into a state of panic. The head of Kiev’s military administration, Timur Tkachenko, confirmed that rescue operations were ongoing, and there were fears more people could be trapped under the rubble.
Among the survivors was Yana Zhaborova, 35, who lived in the damaged building with her five-month-old baby and five-year-old child. “It’s just stress and shock that there’s nothing left now,” she said, describing the moment the blast ripped through her home, blowing out windows and doors in an instant. Her story is one of dozens of similar tales of fear and survival.
Scale and Scope of the Attack
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia fired 309 Shahed and decoy drones as well as eight Iskander-K cruise missiles during the overnight attack. Ukraine’s air defence system responded strongly and intercepted 288 attacking drones and three missiles. However, five missiles and 21 drones managed to strike their targets, causing heavy damage and chaos.
A total of 27 different places in Kiev were hit, with the Solominskiy and Sviatoshynskiy districts suffering the most destruction. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from buildings and debris was scattered on the streets. The intensity of the explosions was so high that clothes were seen hanging from trees and flying out of apartments.
The Human Cost
The psychological and emotional impact of the attack cannot be underestimated. Families were torn apart, homes destroyed, and entire cities were once again plunged into mourning. Emergency medical services worked through the night to care for the injured, many of whom suffered from blast, shrapnel and burn injuries.
The death of a six-year-old boy has shocked the country. Photos and videos circulating on social media show neighbours and rescue workers desperately searching for survivors in the rubble. The pained cries of children and parents reverberate across the affected areas.
Retaliation and International Response
During the assault on Kiev, Russia also faced drone attacks. The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed that it shot down 32 Ukrainian drones overnight. One drone set fire to an industrial site in Russia’s Penza region, although no casualties were reported. In the Volgograd region, train services were halted after drone debris damaged railway infrastructure.
The situation underlines the retaliatory nature of this ongoing war, where both countries are increasingly using unmanned aerial vehicles to target each other’s infrastructure and strategic sites.
Strategic Gains Amidst the Chaos
Russia’s Defence Ministry also claimed on Thursday that its forces have taken full control of the strategically important town of Chasiv Yar in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed this, in line with their policy of not immediately confirming territorial losses.
The town of Chasiv Yar is of immense strategic importance due to its elevated terrain, which provides a vantage point for artillery and missile operations. Control over this hilltop town could allow Russian forces to strike even deeper into Ukraine’s occupied territory.
Ukraine’s Army General Staff noted in its report on Thursday that seven clashes took place in Chasiv Yar in the past 24 hours. A map attached with the report shows most of the town under Russian control. DeepState, a widely used open-source Ukrainian mapping platform, has confirmed that some areas to the south and west of Chasiv Yar remain disputed, marked as a “grey zone”.
Zelenskyy’s Plea to the West
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the latest attack on Telegram. “Today, the world once again saw Russia’s response to our desire for peace with the United States and Europe. New demonstrative killings. So peace without strength is impossible,” he wrote.
Zelensky urged Ukraine’s Western allies to fulfill their defense commitments and maintain pressure on Moscow. He stressed that only strength and unity among democratic countries can bring Russia to the negotiating table. His message comes at a time when talks are intensifying among Western countries about imposing more sanctions and military aid on Ukraine.
Global Reactions and Political Tensions
US President Donald Trump made headlines earlier this week by giving Russian President Vladimir Putin an August 8 deadline for meaningful progress in peace talks. Trump warned that failure to meet the deadline would lead to tough sanctions and tariffs. His comments have added fuel to an already volatile geopolitical environment.
Meanwhile, European leaders condemned the attack in Kiev and called it another example of Russia’s blatant disregard for civilian life. France, Germany and the United Kingdom have pledged to step up humanitarian and military aid in response.
A City Scarred but Unbroken
As Kiev tries to recover and heal from the latest attack, the resilience of its people is once again on full display. Communities have come together to provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected. Volunteers, rescue workers and healthcare professionals are working tirelessly to restore normality in the besieged city.
But these wounds—both physical and emotional—will remain long after the dust settles. The loss of innocent lives, especially of children, is a heavy burden that the city is carrying silently, with great strength and determination.
The High Cost of War
The missile and drone attacks on Kyiv are not just military maneuvers—they are human tragedies. With six people killed and 52 injured, the attack is a painful reminder that the war in Ukraine is far from over. As geopolitical tensions rise and military strategies evolve, the civilian population is paying the highest price.
It is clear that if peace is to come, it must be based on strength, unity, and justice. Until then, the people of Ukraine will remain steadfast—mourning their losses but also resolute in their pursuit of sovereignty and independence.
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