Rescuers Search Kyiv Rubble After Massive Russian Air Assault Kills Two
Russian forces launched over 700 missiles and drones overnight, striking a residential block in Kyiv and several other regions following the end of a brief ceasefire.
Primary source: BBC World News. Full source links and update notes are below.
Fast summary
Start here
- At least two people were killed and 40 injured in Kyiv when a nine-storey apartment block was partially destroyed.
- The attack involved one of the largest barrages of the war, with over 670 drones and 56 missiles launched nationwide.
- Ukrainian officials called on the U.S. and China to exert pressure on Moscow during their ongoing high-level summit.
What happened
Rescuers are searching for survivors in the ruins of a Kyiv apartment building after Russia launched a massive wave of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. The overnight attack killed at least two people and wounded dozens more, including children. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko confirmed that 18 apartments in a nine-storey block were destroyed, and the city's water supply was temporarily disrupted.
What's new in this update
This latest barrage marks the third consecutive day of lethal strikes following the expiration of a three-day, U.S.-brokered ceasefire on Monday. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that more than 670 drones and 56 missiles were launched in this single wave, making it one of the largest aerial assaults since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Key details
The scale of the assault extends beyond the capital, with regions including Kharkiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Kremenchuk also targeted. Since Tuesday night, more than 1,560 Russian drones have been directed at Ukrainian cities. In a separate domestic development, a Kyiv court ordered 60 days of pretrial detention for Zelensky’s former top aide, Andriy Yermak, in connection with a £7.5 million corruption and money-laundering investigation.
Background and context
The ceasefire, which expired late Monday, was marked by reported violations on the frontlines but a temporary pause in large-scale aerial bombardments. Since its end, Russia has significantly ramped up its long-range strikes. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha noted that the timing of the latest attack coincided with a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
What to watch next
Ukraine continues to appeal for strengthened air defense systems to protect urban centers. Diplomatically, Kyiv is looking toward the outcome of the U.S.-China summit, with officials urging both global powers to use their leverage over Moscow to tell Putin to finally end the war.
Why it matters
The escalation signals a significant intensification of Russian aerial warfare following the failure of a short-lived ceasefire, placing renewed pressure on global diplomacy.
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