At a Glance
- Russian ballistic missiles and drones hit Kyiv, killing 1 and wounding 27.
- Attack occurred a day before President Zelenskyy meets U.S. President Trump in Florida.
- Russia claims it captured Myrnohrad, Huliaipole, and other settlements in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.
- Why it matters: It shows Russia’s continued aggression and sets the stage for the upcoming diplomatic talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Kyiv on Saturday, causing casualties and extensive damage to residential and energy infrastructure. The strike came just one day before he is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss security guarantees and territorial issues.
President Zelenskyy said:
> “This attack is Russia’s answer on our peace efforts. It really shows that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin doesn’t want peace.”
The Attack on Kyiv
The Russian Defense Ministry described the assault as a “massive strike” using long-range precision-guided weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones. The attack targeted energy facilities used by Ukraine’s forces and military-industrial enterprises, but several residential buildings were hit, causing significant damage and casualties.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said 10 residential buildings were damaged. Olena Karpenko, a resident, described a man burning to death after a blast near a thermal power plant. Two children were among the wounded, and a body was found under rubble in one damaged building.
- 519 drones launched
- 40 missiles fired
- 1 killed
- 27 wounded
- 2 children wounded
Russia Claims Territorial Gains
In a video released Saturday night, President Vladimir Putin appeared in military fatigues receiving reports from top commanders. General Valery Gerasimov reported that Russian troops had taken full control of Myrnohrad in Donetsk and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia, among other settlements.
Ukraine’s General Staff rejected the claims, stating the situation in Huliaipole is “difficult” but the defensive operation is ongoing, and the situation in Myrnohrad remains “challenging.” The General Staff called the claims “false” and said they were spread to boost Russian morale.
Poland and Ukraine Respond
Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily closed airports in Lublin and Rzeszow after the Russian attacks, though no Polish airspace was violated. The Ukrainian air force reported 519 drones and 40 missiles targeting energy and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv.
Emergency crews in the Kyiv region rescued a person from rubble in Vyshhorod and contained fires in multiple residential buildings, including an 18-story building in the Dnipro district and a 24-story building in Darnytsia.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Drones launched | 519 |
| Missiles fired | 40 |
| Residential buildings damaged | 10 |
| Casualties | 1 killed, 27 wounded |
| Children wounded | 2 |
These figures illustrate the scale of the strike and its impact on Kyiv’s civilian population.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said:
> “The barbarism that we saw overnight, the attack of Kyiv, shows just how important that we stand with Ukraine during this difficult time.”
Zelenskyy told reporters he would aim to ensure there were ” as few unresolved issues as possible ” in talks with Trump, while respecting Ukraine’s red lines.
President Zelenskyy stated:
> “I will aim to ensure there were as few unresolved issues as possible.”
Key Takeaways
- Russian missiles and drones killed 1 and wounded 27 in Kyiv.
- Russia claims control over Myrnohrad, Huliaipole, and other settlements.
- The attack precedes Zelenskyy-Trump talks, highlighting the urgency of security guarantees.
The assault underscores Russia’s relentless campaign against Ukraine and the critical importance of the upcoming diplomatic discussions between Kyiv and Washington.
