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Intense Strife in Ukraine: 14 Dead Counted after Russian Missile and Drone Assaults Hit Kyiv, Including an American National

U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alleging Middle Eastern tensions as the reason for his sudden return to Washington, instead of conducting the scheduled talks.

Zelenskyy's planned discussions with Trump cancelled as Trump abruptly returns to Washington due to...
Zelenskyy's planned discussions with Trump cancelled as Trump abruptly returns to Washington due to escalating Middle Eastern tensions.

Intense Strife in Ukraine: 14 Dead Counted after Russian Missile and Drone Assaults Hit Kyiv, Including an American National

Russia's Brutal Overnight Attacks in Kyiv Claim 16 Lives, Wreak Havoc

It's a grim morning in Kyiv as the city struggles to recover from yet another brutal assault by Russian forces. According to Ukrainian authorities, the attacks took 16 lives and wounded over 130 people, with one of the deceased being a 62-year-old US citizen.

Overnight, between June 17 and 18, Russian troops attacked the city with relentless determination, unleashing a barrage of weapons including approximately 280 Shahed-type drones and two Kinzhal ballistic missiles. The attacks hollowed out a residential building, obliterating dozens of apartments and leaving many residents trapped under the debris.

Rescue workers are on the scene, working tirelessly to free those caught in the rubble. Among the injured is a firefighter, and several residents have been evacuated from their damaged homes. This offensive wasn't just an assault on a city – it was an affront to humanity, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aptly described it as "one of the most terrifying attacks on Kyiv."

In a chilling twist, Russian forces launched over 440 drones and 32 missiles while civilians peacefully slept in their homes. According to Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants the war to continue." He expressed his concerns about the international community's indifference towards this ongoing conflict, stating that "it is troubling when the powerful of this world turn a blind eye to it."

A staggering 27 locations across the capital were hit, including educational institutions and critical infrastructure. This assault marked one of the largest attacks on Kyiv since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The city remained under air raid alert for seven hours as drones swarmed overhead.

The port city of Odesa also suffered a separate Russian drone strike, claiming one life and injuring 17 others.

The attacks occurred on the heels of the G7 summit in Canada, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to attend and hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Trump unexpectedly returned to Washington due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Ukraine's foreign minister views the timing of Russia's assault as a sign of disrespect towards the U.S.

Moscow has escalated its offensive in recent weeks, launching a record number of drones and missiles. Officials claim these attacks are retaliation for a Ukrainian operation targeting warplanes in airbases deep within Russian territory. Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that fires broke out in two of the city's districts due to debris from drones shot down by Ukraine's air defenses.

The attack's victims included Olena Lapyshnak, who lived in one of the destroyed buildings. In an emotional outburst, Lapyshnak could only curse the Russians, stating, "They shouldn't exist in this world."

In a statement, Ukraine's foreign ministry expressed their conviction that Russia's campaign of terror against civilians must be stopped through increased sanctions, defense support for Ukraine, and limiting Russia's ability to sow war.

  1. The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, as demonstrated by the brutal attacks in Kyiv, have led to political debates on the need for stronger international sanctions against Russia.
  2. The escalation of the conflict, with Russia launching hundreds of drones and missiles, has put air defences to the test in several general-news-worthy instances, including the incident in Kyiv.
  3. The relentless air attacks in war-affected cities like Kyiv have not only resulted in loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure but also raised concerns about the indifference of the political community towards the humanitarian crisis that ensues from such conflicts.

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