Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine on Thursday, killing and wounding scores of people in what was the deadliest attack on the nation’s capital in nearly a year.
Moscow insists that the strikes hit legitimate military targets, including Ukraine’s aviation and armored vehicle industries. Officials in Kyiv condemned the action, saying the Russians wanted to hit civilian neighborhoods.
“Rescue operations continue in the capital, as people are still being searched for under the rubble of a destroyed residential building,” Ukrainian defense officials said in a statement. “These attacks are yet another confirmation — Russia is not seeking peace. It continues to kill Ukrainians.”
At least 12 people were killed and 90 others were injured, including children, in a wave of airstrikes that prompted President Trump to issue a rare public rebuke of Kremlin officials, including President Vladimir Putin.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary and very bad timing,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social. “Vladimir, stop! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the peace deal done.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Mr. Putin demonstrates through his actions that he doesn’t respect any serious peace proposal and is interested only in continuing the war. Russia still occupies 20% of Ukraine after gaining more than 1,500 square miles of territory in 2024.
“Weakness and concessions will not stop his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will,” Mr. Sybiha said.
Ukraine accused Moscow of firing at least 70 missiles and 145 drones, with most targeting Kyiv. Defense officials said they’re counting on a “strong response” from other nations.
“We need additional air defense systems to protect against Russian terror,” they said. “At the same time, work must continue to create real security guarantees — ones that will make any aggression against our country impossible. This is the path to a just and lasting peace.”
Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv’s mayor, said search and rescue operations were continuing, with crews scrambling to pull any survivors from the rubble.
“The city is providing assistance to residents,” he said on his Telegram page. “A support point for victims has been set up.”
The Russian attacks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s rejection of a peace plan offered by the Trump administration that would mean an acknowledgement of Russian control over Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Moscow also wants the Ukrainian regions it controls to be recognized as Russian territory, as well as guarantees that Kyiv would remain neutral in the future.
Mr. Zelenskyy said Ukraine won’t accept any agreements that would contradict the country’s Constitution or its values. During a visit to the Republic of South Africa that was cut short by Thursday’s bombing, he maintained that Ukraine would never formally recognize Russia’s control over occupied territory.
“We are doing everything our partners have proposed. The only thing we cannot do is what contradicts our legislation and Constitution. Even the fight for our state’s independence, our sovereignty and territorial integrity is a matter of survival,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “Here we are absolutely straightforward and fully transparent.”
The Russian attack came a day after Mr. Trump lashed out at Mr. Zelenskyy following the Ukrainian’s rejection of the peace proposal.
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
He said Mr. Zelenskyy’s “inflammatory” statement makes it more difficult to find a peaceful solution to the war.
“The statement made by Zelenskyy … will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field’ and nobody wants that,” Mr. Trump wrote. “I look forward to being able to help Ukraine and Russia get out of this complete and total mess that never would have started if I were president.”
European leaders condemned Russia’s actions and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, accused Russia of launching the airstrikes against Kyiv even as it claims to seek a peaceful resolution.
“This isn’t a pursuit of peace; it’s a mockery of it,” she said Thursday on X. “The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed.”
