Russian Missile Barrage on Kyiv Kills at Least 10, Dozens Injured Amid Stalled Peace Talks
Kyiv, Ukraine — April 24, 2025
A massive overnight aerial assault by Russian forces on Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions has left at least 10 civilians dead and 63 injured, Ukrainian officials confirmed Thursday. The attack, described as one of the most intense in recent months, began around 1 a.m. and struck at least five neighborhoods in the capital.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting a combination of 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four air-to-surface missiles, and 145 Shahed drones and decoys. Residential buildings were heavily damaged, with rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble throughout the night.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the destruction as “devastating,” with fires and collapsed structures reported across the city. Victims included children and the elderly, many of whom were caught in the blasts while sheltering in their homes.
Russia claimed the strikes targeted Ukraine’s defense industry facilities, including sites producing rocket fuel and gunpowder. However, Ukrainian and Western officials condemned the attack as a deliberate assault on civilians.
The bombardment comes amid faltering peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of ignoring a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal agreed to over a month ago. He reiterated that Ukraine would not concede Crimea or other occupied territories, calling it a red line.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump drew criticism after accusing Zelenskyy of prolonging the war by refusing to surrender Crimea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the remarks, while Ukrainian officials expressed outrage.
“This is not a path to peace—it’s a path to terror,” said Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. “Putin only understands strength, not compromise.”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed that sentiment, calling the strikes a “mockery of peace.”
