OLEKSIJEVA DRUZHKIVKA, UKRAINE — In one of the most severe aerial assaults since the onset of the war, Russia launched a barrage of attack drones and ballistic missiles on Kyiv overnight. This coordinated assault resulted in damage to multiple apartment buildings and left 15 people injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy characterized the situation as a “tough night” for the nation. In a social media post, he reiterated calls for new international sanctions aimed at pressuring Moscow into accepting a ceasefire. As dawn approached, residents awoke to the aftermath of the night’s devastation, with the capital city illuminated by an ominous orange-red glow from explosions and smoke rising over the skyline.
Eyewitnesses reported continuous waves of drones traversing the skies above Kyiv, intensifying the chaos. The sounds of explosions resonated throughout the city, accompanied by the persistent noise of anti-aircraft defenses attempting to intercept incoming threats. Photos captured by Reuters depicted scenes of destruction, including plumes of smoke and flames emerging from balcony windows of damaged buildings. Fire crews worked tirelessly to tackle the blazes and assess the destruction.
The Kyiv city military administration and police confirmed that the attacks impacted six districts of the capital. Numerous residents found themselves surveying the wreckage of their homes as shattered windows and damaged balconies became stark reminders of the assault. “I wish they’d agree to a ceasefire. To bomb people like this,” lamented 64-year-old resident Olha Chyrukha. “The poor children! My three-year-old granddaughter was screaming in fear.”
The Obolon district, located on the northwestern edge of Kyiv, faced the brunt of the damage. In a harrowing account, 42-year-old Olha Kalina described how her apartment was hit while she was away. Her two children, aged 20 and 13, remained inside and reported that their balcony was ablaze. Frantically, she rushed to the scene, only to find her children hiding in a nearby underground car park, their faces covered in soot. Kalina noted that their apartment had become uninhabitable due to the fire damage.
While this escalation unfolded, both Ukraine and Russia have signaled their willingness to engage in renewed discussions about a peace deal, following a recent prisoner exchange facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite these overtures, both sides have accused each other of lacking genuine commitment to ending the fighting.
In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskiy asserted, “With each such attack, the world becomes convinced that the reason for the war being dragged out is Moscow. Only additional sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.” Ukraine’s air force confirmed that, during the overnight assault, Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 long-range drones, with Kyiv as the primary target.
This attack follows a series of recent Ukrainian drone strikes-approximately 800 targeting sites within Russia, including Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatened a response to these provocations just a day before the latest assaults.
As the situation develops, the urgency for international intervention and a ceasefire remains palpable among the affected communities, who continue to endure the fallout of this ongoing conflict.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/24/ukraine-says-15-people-hurt-in-massive-russian-attack-on-capital.html
Category :
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-05-24 13:45:00
