Russian Missile Barrage on Kyiv Kills 9, Injures 70/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Kyiv, killing nine and injuring over 70. Zelenskyy called it one of the war’s most “outrageous” attacks and cut short his trip to South Africa. The deadly strike comes amid faltering peace talks and escalating pressure from global powers.
Russia’s Massive Kyiv Strike Kills 9 — Quick Looks
- Worst Attack Since Summer: Kyiv endures its deadliest airstrike in 9 months, with 9 dead and 70+ injured.
- Zelenskyy Responds: Cuts short South Africa trip, says attack “one of the most outrageous.”
- Air Raid Devastation: Missiles, drones hit residential areas; families flee to shelters.
- Peace Talks Stalled: Strike follows Trump criticism, and faltering ceasefire negotiations.
- Global Condemnation: EU calls strike a “mockery” of peace; UN decries “violation of humanitarian law.”
- Kyiv Declares Mourning: Mayor announces day of mourning Friday for the capital.
Russian Strike on Kyiv Kills 9 in Worst Attack Since Last Summer
Deep Looks
KYIV, Ukraine (April 24, 2025) — A large-scale overnight missile and drone strike by Russian forces killed at least nine civilians and wounded more than 70 others in Kyiv, marking the deadliest assault on Ukraine’s capital since July 2024 and sharply escalating tensions amid faltering peace negotiations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from South Africa, called the bombardment “one of the most outrageous” since the war began over three years ago. He said over 250 drones and ballistic missiles were launched in a coordinated attack that targeted civilians and critical infrastructure.
“I will be cutting short my official trip and returning to Ukraine immediately,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram, adding that the attack “once again proves that Russia has no intention of ending this war peacefully.”
Russia’s Largest Assault on Kyiv in 9 Months
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia used:
- 66 ballistic and cruise missiles
- 4 air-to-surface missiles
- 145 Shahed drones and decoys
The onslaught hit five Kyiv neighborhoods, leveling homes and damaging infrastructure. Rescue teams, using flashlights in the pre-dawn darkness, pulled trapped civilians from rubble. One woman was found moaning in pain, buried beneath debris.
Families rushed to bomb shelters, and many residents described the city as a war zone overnight. In the Sviatoshynskyi district, a two-story building was flattened, and surrounding apartment blocks were heavily damaged.
Emotional Toll on Kyiv Residents
Vitalii Klitschko, Kyiv’s mayor, declared Friday a day of mourning and said over 42 people were hospitalized.
Student Oksana Bilozir, who sustained a head injury, described the horror:
“I honestly don’t even know how this will all end, it’s very scary… no diplomacy works here anymore.”
Anastasiia Zhuravlova, a mother of two, said her windows exploded during the first strike and kitchen appliances flew through the air.
“We rushed to the corridor, then to the shelter. There was glass everywhere,” she said.
Peace Negotiations Crumble
The deadly strike comes just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war by refusing to concede Crimea to Russia as part of an American-backed peace proposal.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, said:
“Zelenskyy can have peace or fight for another three years before losing the whole country. His refusal to compromise is prolonging the killing field.”
But Zelenskyy reaffirmed his red line: Ukraine would not negotiate away sovereign territory.
“We accepted the U.S. ceasefire proposal 44 days ago,” he said, “but Russia’s attacks haven’t stopped.”
Global Reaction: “A Mockery of Peace”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, condemned the strike:
“While claiming to seek peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv. This isn’t peace — it’s a mockery of it.”
The United Nations Humanitarian Office also weighed in:
“Civilians must never be targets. This senseless use of force must stop.”
In Kyiv, residents gathered at temporary relief centers. Children helped patch windows with plastic wrap. Some families stood outside in blood-stained clothing, still dazed and shaken.
Ceasefire Talks Near Collapse
Ongoing peace talks between U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials in London were downgraded earlier this week as negotiations faltered. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his attendance, and Vice President JD Vance warned the U.S. might walk away from the process if no progress is made.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the Russian strike was proof that President Vladimir Putin had no interest in peace:
“Putin demonstrates through action that he does not respect any peace efforts.”
The Cost of the War
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, more than 13,000 civilians have been killed, including 618 children, according to Ukrainian officials.
The front line remains locked in a 1,000-kilometer war of attrition, with Russia claiming small but steady advances in eastern and southern Ukraine.
As tensions climb, Zelenskyy’s trip to South Africa, aimed at bolstering international support, was cut short.
“The path to peace runs through justice, not capitulation,” Zelenskyy said before boarding his return flight.
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