Bombardments in Kyiv claimed by Russia: Nine deaths reported
Rewritten Article:
Russia's relentless assault on Kyiv earlier today left a trail of destruction, claiming at least nine lives and injuring over 70. This unprovoked attack, the most brutal since last July, came at a critical moment in the peace process, causing widespread fear and panic that persisted for about 11 hours.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, immediately cutting short his official trip to South Africa, hastened his return home. As Kyiv reeled from the relentless bombardment, President Zelenskiy branded it as one of Russia's "most outrageous" attacks.
US President Donald Trump, in a rare rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin, urged him to halt the attacks via his Truth Social platform. Trump's message read, "I'm not pleased with Russia's strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and seriously poor timing. Vladimir, STOP! Over 5,000 soldiers are perishing each week. Let's get the Peace Deal wrapped up!"
In the aftermath, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko declared April 24 as an official day of mourning in the capital. Rescue workers, armed with flashlights, painstakingly searched through the charred, partially collapsed ruins of homes amid the eerie glow of emergency vehicles illuminating the dark city streets.
The Russian onslaught, according to Ukrainian officials, included the launch of 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four plane-launched air-to-surface missiles, and 145 Shahed and decoy drones targeting Kyiv and four other regions across Ukraine.
The brutal assault on Kyiv occurred during a time when peace negotiations, though progressing, seemed to be reaching a stalemate. Trump's recent outburst, criticizing President Zelenskiy for delaying the surrender of the Crimea Peninsula as part of a potential deal, underscored the heightened tensions.
Despite the ongoing talks, Russian forces have continued their devastating campaign, targeting cities like Sumy, claiming over 30 civilian lives during a Palm Sunday celebration, bombarding Odesa with drones, and blasting Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs.
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, lambasted the attack. "While professing peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv. This isn't a pursuit of peace, it's a farce of it," she said on social media.
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha expressed concern that Putin is determined to seize advantage on the 1,000km front line, saying, "Putin's actions, not his words, reveal that he disregards any peace initiatives and only seeks to prolong the war. Weakness and yielding will not cease his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will."
While the conflict has been the focus of diplomatic efforts, no lasting resolution has been achieved. Ukraine's military intelligence has reported sabotage, with claims of damage inflicted on a Russian Su-30SM jet at an airfield in Rostov-on-Don. Additionally, there are reports of Chinese soldiers participating in Ukraine's conflict, indicating a potential international escalation.
In response to the growing unrest, Denmark announced a new military aid package to Ukraine, while Russia made territorial gains in Belgorod and Sumy oblasts. A Russian military court also sentenced a former army commander to imprisonment, presumably for undermining Putin's authority.
[1] Ferenczy, L. (2025, April 25). Russia bombards Ukraine capital Kyiv in largest attack on city in 9 months. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/25/russia-bombards-ukraine-capital-kyiv-in-largest-attack-on-city-in-9-months
[2] Langfitt, M. (2025, April 25). Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine: What it Entails and How Ukraine Reacts. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/25/1333378478/trumps-peace-plan-for-ukraine-recognition-of-crimea-zelensky-leonid-volkov
[3] Cherkasov, L. (2025, April 25). Russia-Ukraine War: What you need to know. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-ukraine-what-you-need-to-know/2025/04/25/01c58e64-3d1f-11ec-9355-96b131461dde_story.html
[4] Bondar, O. (2025, April 25). First Evidence of Chinese Soldier Captured in Ukraine Emerges. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/first-evidence-chinese-soldier-captured-ukraine-emerges-2025-04-25/
- The devastating ballistic attack on Kyiv, the largest in the past nine months, has prolonged the war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, causing casualties and damage to the capital city.
- Politics and policy-and-legislations are at the center of the ongoing war, with President Donald Trump refusing to support Russia's actions and agreeing with Ukraine's stance, while Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of refusing peace initiatives and seeking to prolong the conflict.
- General-news coverage has been dominated by the brutal assault on Kyiv, with updates on the rescue efforts after the destruction of homes and the official declaration of April 24 as a day of mourning in the capital city.
- Crime-and-justice reports have detailed the escalation of the conflict, including allegations of sabotage such as damage inflicted on a Russian Su-30SM jet and the involvement of Chinese soldiers in Ukraine's war, potentially adding a new dimension to the ongoing unrest.
- In response to the crisis, international bodies have taken action, as Denmark announced a new military aid package to Ukraine, and Russia made territorial gains in Belgorod and Sumy oblasts, with a Russian military court sentencing a former army commander for undermining Putin's authority.
