European leaders have condemned Russia’s latest assault on Kyiv, which left at least 23 people dead including four children and severely damaged the European Union’s delegation office in the Ukrainian capital. The overnight missile barrage was the deadliest on Kyiv since July, targeting residential areas and striking just meters from EU and British diplomatic missions.
According to Ukrainian officials, a missile tore through a five-storey apartment block in the Darnytskyi district at around 3:00 a.m., causing it to collapse. Rescue workers spent hours digging through rubble to search for survivors, while emergency crews reported that three of the children killed were aged two, 14, and 17. Dozens more were injured.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, describing it as “another grim reminder” of Russia’s willingness to “terrorise Ukraine.” She revealed that two missiles hit just 50 meters from the EU’s delegation office within 20 seconds. The British Council, housed in the same building, also reported severe damage and announced its closure until further notice.
The attack followed a US-led diplomatic push to revive peace talks, sparking frustration across Europe. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused President Vladimir Putin of “sabotaging hopes of peace,” while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Moscow had made a “deliberate choice to escalate.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed these concerns, saying the strike revealed Russia’s “increasing brazenness.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded tougher sanctions, insisting that Moscow had chosen “ballistics instead of the negotiating table.” The EU responded by announcing a forthcoming 19th sanctions package, with von der Leyen set to visit seven EU border states in the coming days.
The strikes also knocked out power for over 160,000 Ukrainian homes and targeted a Ukrainian naval vessel, killing one crew member. Meanwhile, the US confirmed it would host talks with a Ukrainian delegation in New York to discuss military, political, and economic security guarantees.
Despite Kremlin claims of interest in negotiations, Western leaders say the attacks highlight Russia’s rejection of diplomacy. As von der Leyen warned, “Russia will stop at nothing to kill men, women, and children even striking at the EU itself.”
