Russian airstrikes using missiles and drones in Kyiv lead to nine fatalities

Rewritten Article:

YASNA POLYANA, UKRAINE

Russia launched a brutal assault on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, yesterday, unleashing a barrage of missiles and drones that left nine people dead and more than 70 injured. This marks the bloodiest attack on Kyiv since last July and comes at a critical juncture in renewed peace talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was on an official trip to South Africa, condemned the attack and swiftly cut his visit short to return to Ukraine. With the city still reeling from the relentless bombardment that kept residents on edge for over 11 hours, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko declared today an official day of mourning.

The assault appears to be Russia's most significant attack on Kyiv in almost a year and a half. Zelensky branded it as Russia's "most atrocious," and in an unusual move, USA President Donald Trump belatedly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to cease hostilities. Trump's message on his Truth Social platform read, "I'm not pleased with the Russian barrage on KYIV. Not necessary, and ill-timed. Vladimir, STOP! Every week, 5000 soldiers are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal completed!"

Rescue workers meticulously sifted through the smoldering debris of destroyed homes, their flashlights cutting through the darkness as the blue lights of emergency vehicles bathed the streets in an eerie glow. A Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson reported that Russia fired 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four aircraft-launched air-to-surface missiles, and 145 Shahed and decoy drones at Kyiv and four other regions of Ukraine.

Interestingly, the attack took place as hope for an agreement seemed to be gradually taking shape, and just hours after Trump publicly berated Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the conflict by refusing to give up the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula as a potential concession. In response, Zelensky emphasized that the future of negotiations depends on Moscow.

Historically, Ukraine has maintained that recognizing occupied territories as Russian is a non-negotiable condition for its country. The latest attack, Zelensky stated, implies that the fate of negotiations rests solely in Russia's hands. Ukraine had agreed to a US-proposed ceasefire 44 days ago, he added, but the Russian attacks have persisted. Speaking in South Africa, Zelensky said, "The future of negotiations depends on Russia's intentions, as they are the ones who hold the power to make a change in Moscow."

Prior to the attack, talks had been ongoing, but Russia had struck the city of Sumy, killing more than 30 civilians, bombarded Odessa with drones, and blasted Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, European officials remain hesitant about Russia's sincerity, citing Putin's recent "peace" gestures as mere window-dressing.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas emphasized this sentiment on social media, writing, "While posing as a peace broker, Russia launched a brutal airstrike on Kyiv. This isn't a pursuit of peace, but a mockery of it." Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha echoed Kallas' sentiments, stating that Putin's actions demonstrate his disregard for any peace efforts and his desire to continue the war. "Weakness and concessions will not curb Putin's terror and aggression," Sybiha wrote. "Strength and pressure are the only means to halt his reign of destruction." Concurrently, diplomatic efforts continue, with US special envoy Jason Witkoff scheduled to meet with Putin in Moscow this week, according to reports.

Despite the launch of a brutal assault on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, by Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a US-proposed ceasefire 44 days ago.
In a rare critique, USA President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities, calling the bombardment of Kyiv "ill-timed" and "not necessary."
The assault on Kyiv, branded by Zelensky as Russia's "most atrocious," involved the firing of 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four aircraft-launched air-to-surface missiles, and 145 Shahed and decoy drones, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson.
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, in response to Putin's actions, stated that weakness and concessions will not curb Putin's terror and aggression, but strength and pressure are the only means to halt his reign of destruction.