Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky abruptly ended part of his diplomatic trip to South Africa on Thursday, returning to Ukraine following a deadly Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv. At least eight people were killed, and over 70 others were injured as Russia launched at least 70 missiles and 145 drones at Ukrainian cities, with the primary target being Kyiv. The aerial assault, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, caused significant destruction, particularly in the capital’s residential areas.
Rescue operations are ongoing as workers comb through the rubble of collapsed buildings, with some reports of people still trapped under debris. The attack, which targeted civilian structures, raised questions about the efficacy of Ukraine’s air defenses and the escalating threat from Russia’s aerial bombardments. While Kyiv has better air defenses compared to other Ukrainian cities, the strikes underscored the vulnerability of the population despite those protections.
The Russian offensive coincided with rising tensions in international diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. US President Donald Trump had earlier criticized Zelensky’s refusal to accept Russia’s occupation of Crimea as a condition for peace, complicating US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Zelensky, in response, reiterated his position that peace could not be achieved under the current circumstances, stating that Russia’s unprovoked attacks had continued despite Ukraine’s agreement to halt strikes for over 40 days.
As the Ukrainian president departed South Africa after meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa, he reiterated the need for Russia to stop targeting civilians unconditionally. In a post on X, Zelensky condemned the continued bloodshed and vowed that rescue efforts would continue until all victims were accounted for.
This attack is part of a troubling pattern of intensifying Russian airstrikes, including a recent missile attack in Sumy that killed 35 people. Zelensky’s leadership remains steadfast in rejecting Moscow’s terms for peace, with many observers viewing the situation as an ongoing ‘killing field’ as the war grinds on.
