Kiev, Ukraine – Russia unleashes a massive overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital, which killed at least 12 people, including three children and injured 38 people, local officials said earlier Thursday.
The combined strike was most important to hit Kiev as President Donald Trump strengthened his push to end the Kremlin war. The Ukrainian Air Force said a total of 629 drones and missiles were fired overnight in the country.
The overnight attack clearly shows that Russia chose “ballistics over the negotiation table.” Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky said in a post in X.
The three children killed in the attack were 2, 14 and 17 years old, said Timur Tokachenko, head of Kiev’s city government.
The Russian strike struck more than 20 locations across Kiev, causing damage to homes and leaving around 60,000 residents without power, officials said.
NBC News, in the heart of Kiev, heard some powerful explosions. This is a rare event in the heart of the Ukrainian capital since the onset of a full-scale Russian invasion.
Rescuers had pulled out people trapped under the roof rubber, and tolls were expected to rise.
Zelensky repeatedly called for “new severe sanctions” on Russia, hoping that the US would target Putin’s economy and push him to the table.
Despite signs of urgency from the Kremlin, Trump has given both sides more time, but Ukraine has itself targeted Russian oil infrastructure to raise pressure.
Meanwhile, Russia is increasing its air attacks on Ukrainian cities. In July, a massive strike against Kiev killed at least 31 people, making it the deadliest attack on the capital since this year.
Ukraine first confirmed on Tuesday that Russian forces had entered the eastern central region of Dnipropetrovsk, but said they were pushed back as the fight continued near the two villages.
Dalina Mayer reported from Kiev and Peter Guo from Hong Kong.
