A Devastating Attack on Kyiv: death toll revised, rescue operations ongoing
Devastating Assault on Kyiv: Casualties Mount with Ten Deaths and Over Thirty Injured - A heinous assault in Kiev: Ten casualties and numerous injuries reported
In an evening statement, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko revealed a downward revision in the death toll caused by the recent drone and missile attacks on Kyiv - now at 10 instead of the initially reported 16. The discrepancy resulted from mistake in counting multiple body parts as separate fatalities[1]. Rescue efforts are still ongoing as there are people believed to be trapped under the rubble[2].
According to the Interior Ministry, a total of 27 targets were hit across various neighborhoods of the city, which included residential buildings, educational institutions, and crucial infrastructure[2]. As a result, 68 of the 114 injured individuals were hospitalized[2].
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko had previously reported a 62-year-old American citizen's death in a building in Solomyanskyi district due to the shelling. This was one of several attacks carried out from three directions by Russian drones[2]. Fires erupted in multiple districts across the city as a consequence of the errant drones[1][2].
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as "one of the most horrendous" on the capital. Part of an apartment block was annihilated, and rescue workers were working diligently to free trapped individuals. The exact number of those trapped remains unclear, Zelensky said[2].
Russia launched more than 440 drones and 32 missiles as part of this attack, according to Zelensky. He accused Putin of intending to prolong the war by these acts of terrorism. These attacks show the urgent need for increased global support for Ukraine[2][3].
The city of Odessa, southern Ukraine, was also hit, resulting in one death, as were Kherson in the south and Sumy in the north[4].
Officially, the Russian defense ministry claimed that they had targeted military and industrial facilities in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia[4]. They also stated that they had intercepted and destroyed 198 Ukrainian drones between Monday evening and Tuesday morning[4].
Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, criticized the "civilized world" for insufficient response to Russia's war on civilians[4]. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Putin of orchestrating the attacks during the G7 summit aimed at making the assembling industrial nations appear inadequate.
Peace talks have so far failed to establish a ceasefire. In Istanbul, Moscow refused to comply with Ukraine's demands and instead pressed for significant territorial concessions from Ukraine and their abandonment of NATO aspirations[5].
Zelensky had hoped to discuss the Ukraine war and US weapons purchases with Trump during the G7 summit; however, Trump cut the discussions short on Monday, allegedly due to the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran[5]. Earlier, Trump expressed reluctance towards implementing harsher sanctions on Russia, suggesting that they would cost a significant amount of money[5].
- Kiev
- Drone
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Internal Ministry
- G7 Summit
- Vitali Klitschko
- Fires
- Vladimir Putin
- Ihor Klymenko
- AFP
- NATO
Additional Insights:
The attacks took place during the early hours of June 18, 2025, amidst the G7 summit where world leaders had gathered to discuss ongoing conflicts and the provision of support to countries under attack[3]. Previously, there had been several instances of similar attacks in May and June of the same year, highlighting the escalating aggression of Russian forces[3].
The timing and nature of these attacks, with 472 aerial weapons deployed by Russian forces, including nearly 280 Shahed-type drones, resulted in massive civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage[1][2]. The Ukrainian government had stationed air defense systems along the borders as early as May in preparation for such an attack, but these measures were unable to prevent a large number of drones from reaching their targets[1].
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kyiv-military-officials-say-russia-launches-drone-missile-attack-ukrainian-capital-2022-06-18/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61521024
- https://apnews.com/article/8f6a31039d0d54494e1d4c2d65eb230b
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/18/kyiv-blasted-by-rocket-attack-as-ukraine-says-at-least-15-dead
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/18/politics/ukraine-g7-summit-vladimir-zelensky/index.html
The Interior Ministry in Ukraine, headed by Ihor Klymenko, reported revised casualty figures from the drone and missile attacks on Kiev during the G7 summit, with 10 dead and dozens wounded. The attacks, which were one of the most horrific on Kiev, were carried out by Russian drones, including Shahed-type drones, and resulted in significant infrastructure damage.
In response to these attacks, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko criticized the insufficient global response to Russia's war on civilians, while Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Vladimir Putin of orchestrating the attacks during the G7 summit to make the assembling industrial nations appear inadequate. Meanwhile, peace talks have so far failed to establish a ceasefire, with Moscow refusing to comply with Ukraine's demands and instead pressing for significant territorial concessions from Ukraine and their abandonment of NATO aspirations.
