Kyiv (Rajeev Sharma): Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of carrying out a major missile assault on Kyiv shortly after another round of talks, reporting two deaths and 34 injuries across the country, including five children.
In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said Russian forces had launched three waves of ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital since Wednesday evening, using a total of 21 missiles. The strikes damaged residential buildings, energy installations, railway infrastructure, a metro facility, shopping centres, businesses and a monastery, he said.
Emergency response teams were deployed to affected locations across Kyiv as authorities assessed the destruction and responded to casualties. According to Zelenskyy, 12 Ukrainian regions came under attack overnight, with the reported injuries and fatalities recorded across the affected areas.
The Ukrainian president offered condolences to the families of those killed and said the injured included five children.
Zelenskyy questions Russia’s commitment to negotiations
Zelenskyy criticised the timing of the assault, arguing that the missile strikes demonstrated no meaningful change in Moscow’s approach despite the latest round of discussions.
He said Ukraine remained committed to pursuing a diplomatic path to end the war but maintained that negotiations would need to be accompanied by stronger international pressure on Russia to produce tangible results.
According to the Ukrainian leader, the latest attacks underscored the need for measures that would prevent further loss of civilian life and compel Moscow to change its military course.
Ukraine seeks stronger air defences and additional sanctions
Zelenskyy called on Ukraine’s international partners to accelerate the supply of air defence systems and missiles to help protect cities and critical infrastructure from further attacks.
He also urged allies to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to neutralise ballistic missile launchers and maintain sanctions targeting Russia over its invasion.
The president argued that diplomatic engagement alone would not be sufficient if Russia continued launching attacks while discussions were underway. He called for continued international backing, stressing that protecting civilians and preserving human lives must remain central to efforts to end the conflict.
Civilian infrastructure among damaged sites
The reported damage in Kyiv extended beyond residential neighbourhoods to facilities essential to daily life, including energy infrastructure and transport networks. The reported impact on railway and metro facilities could also complicate transport and movement within the capital.
Emergency services continued working at the affected sites, according to Zelenskyy’s statement. Further details about the extent of the destruction and the circumstances surrounding the casualties were not provided in the post.
The latest reported assault adds to the continuing security challenges facing Ukraine as the war with Russia persists. Zelenskyy’s remarks also highlight the difficulty of advancing diplomatic efforts while missile attacks continue to threaten civilians and vital infrastructure.
The casualty figures and details of the damage in this report are based on statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Independent verification of the claims was not provided in the supplied information.
