Russia launched a massive wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital, killing at least 19 people, including four children, and wounding dozens more. The assault, which saw more than 600 drones and over 30 missiles fired, has been widely condemned internationally. Sir Keir Starmer accused Vladimir Putin of “sabotaging hopes of peace,” while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strike as Moscow’s response to diplomatic efforts to end the war.
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Moscow maintained it only targeted military installations, but the UK summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Office after the British Council building in Kyiv was hit. Energy facilities were also struck, causing power cuts, and Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as one of the largest on the city in recent months. Western leaders, including the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, have threatened to extend sanctions following the damage to EU buildings.
The attacks follow stalled international attempts to negotiate peace. US envoy Keith Kellogg warned that the strikes, which hit residential areas and civilian infrastructure, undermine ongoing discussions. Zelensky called for fresh sanctions, stating that Russia “chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table” and continues to kill civilians rather than end the conflict. Reports suggest Russia has made incremental gains along Ukraine’s eastern front, but at significant human cost.
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Despite the devastation, Europe continues to import Russian fossil fuels, with €260 billion paid for oil and gas since 2022. Meanwhile, the EU, Canada, and the UK have raised €250 billion in support of Ukraine. Zelensky remains hopeful that security guarantees could be formalised following discussions with Turkey, while Western leaders push for renewed diplomatic efforts to curb the ongoing bloodshed.
