Russia launched a large missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, overnight. The attack killed at least 8 people, including a 6-year-old boy, and injured 82 others, according to Ukrainian officials.
Among the injured were 10 children, including a 5-month-old baby girl, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. A part of a nine-story building collapsed after being hit. Rescue teams are still looking for people who might be trapped under the debris.
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Eyewitness Account:
Yana Zhabborova, a 35-year-old mother who lived in the damaged building, said she woke up to loud explosions. The blast blew off her doors and windows. “It’s just stress and shock. There’s nothing left,” she said. She lives with her 5-month-old baby and a 5-year-old child.
Attack Details:
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 309 drones and 8 cruise missiles during the night. Ukraine managed to stop most of them, but 21 drones and 5 missiles still hit their targets.
In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had shot down 32 Ukrainian drones. A drone also caused a fire at an industrial site in Russia’s Penza region, though no one was hurt. In Volgograd, some trains were delayed after drone debris hit a railway.
Chasiv Yar City Dispute:
Russia claimed it has taken full control of Chasiv Yar, a key city in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. However, a Ukrainian military spokesperson denied this, calling it false information. A Ukrainian army report said there were still seven active clashes in the area in the past day. Maps show parts of the city are still fought over by both sides.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks hit multiple regions, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Sumy, and Mykolaiv, but Kyiv was the main target. He criticized Russia for using violence instead of choosing peace.
“Today, the world saw Russia’s answer to our call for peace,” Zelenskyy said. “That’s why peace without strength is impossible.”
He urged Ukraine’s allies to keep their promises and put pressure on Russia to hold real peace talks.
In Kyiv, over 27 locations were hit. The Solomianskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts saw the most damage. More than 100 buildings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and universities, were affected.
U.S. Response:
U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia has until August 8 to show progress toward peace. If not, America will impose more sanctions and taxes on Russia.
Western leaders believe President Vladimir Putin is delaying peace efforts to gain more land in Ukraine.
