Deadly Overnight Strike in Kyiv Leaves 9 Dead, Dozens Injured Amid Fresh Tensions

Kyiv woke up to tragedy overnight as a missile and drone assault blamed on Russia killed at least nine people and injured over 70, including several children, according to Ukrainian officials.

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the city was struck by a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles, with at least 45 drones detected in the skies. Ukraine's Air Force is expected to update these numbers as the situation develops.

The strikes hit around 1:00 a.m., targeting at least five neighborhoods. In the Sviatoshynkskyi district, a fire broke out in a residential building after it was damaged by the attack. Fires also broke out in the Shevchenkivsky and Holosiivskyi districts, adding chaos to an already harrowing scene.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service said that at least 42 people were hospitalized, and first responders worked through the morning to pull victims from beneath the rubble. Sadly, this kind of grim overnight tally has become heartbreakingly familiar in Kyiv.

The attack came just hours after peace talks appeared to stall once again. Former U.S. President Donald Trump took the opportunity to criticize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of dragging out the war by refusing to consider giving up Crimea to Russia as part of a peace deal. Later, Trump remarked that negotiations with Zelenskyy have been "harder" than dealing with Russia itself.

Zelenskyy, for his part, has made it clear that recognizing Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territory is a red line he won’t cross—a stance that continues to fuel tension with both Moscow and some Western politicians.