Introduction
In one of the most devastating attacks since the start of the full-scale war, Russia launched a ferocious overnight missile barrage on Kyiv missile strike, Ukraine’s capital, leaving at least 30 dead and many more injured. The strike destroyed residential buildings, including a nine-story apartment block in the Solomianskyi neighborhood, where rescue workers continue to search for victims beneath the rubble.
Massive Missile Barrage Leaves Kyiv Devastated
According to Ukraine’s air force, more than 440 drones and 32 missiles targeted multiple cities across Ukraine, with Kyiv suffering the brunt of the assault. The attack lasted nine hours, beginning just after midnight and stretching into the morning hours.
One of the cruise missiles, traveling at nearly 500 mph, directly struck a residential block in Solomianskyi. The blast obliterated 35 apartments and hollowed out an entire section of the building. By Wednesday afternoon, 23 bodies had been recovered from the site Kyiv missile strike.
Survivors Describe Scenes of Chaos
Evhen Povarenkov, a 43-year-old warehouse worker, was asleep in his apartment when the missile hit. “There was heat, fire, and smoke. I lost consciousness. When I came to, I heard my mother screaming,” he recounted. Neighbors helped him rescue his elderly mother, who sustained multiple serious injuries, including broken collarbones, eye damage, and internal bleeding that required surgery Kyiv missile strike.
Another survivor, Oleksandr Bondarchuk, 64, who was unable to reach a shelter due to his disability, described the terror of lying helplessly in bed as the explosions rocked the neighborhood: “Everything was destroyed.”
Pensioner Arcadiy Volenchuk, 60, added, “Kyiv missile strike People were screaming, children were crying. It was total chaos.” Survivors struggled to navigate burning vehicles and falling debris to reach safety, with fuel tanks exploding around them.
Hospitals Struggle to Cope With Casualties
Kyiv’s hospitals were quickly overwhelmed. Dr. Serhii Dubrov, director of the 12th Kyiv City Clinical Hospital, described the harrowing injuries: “They had soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, internal chest injuries, and severed arteries.” His hospital alone admitted 27 patients ranging from 18 to 95 years old, including multiple elderly victims who could not evacuate in time.
Symbolic Timing Amid G7 Summit
The attack coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to Canada for the G7 summit. Some Ukrainian officials suspect the attack’s timing was deliberately intended to send a message to world leaders. Zelensky’s crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump was abruptly canceled as Trump left the summit early amid unrelated crises in the Middle East. [Macron on Army Action Against Iran]
Without Trump’s participation, European leaders failed to produce a unified statement of support for Ukraine — a significant setback for Zelensky, who has repeatedly called for stronger international assistance, particularly in bolstering Ukraine’s air defense systems. [Source: Washington Post]
Search and Recovery Efforts Continue
As of late Wednesday, emergency crews were still combing through the ruins, uncovering additional bodies and searching for survivors. “We don’t know how many more victims we will find,” one rescuer said solemnly.
Residents from around the Solomianskyi district gathered near the destroyed apartment complex, laying flowers in a makeshift memorial beneath the playground where children once played.
Kyiv’s Plea for More Support
The horrifying attack has underscored Ukraine’s vulnerability and intensified calls for greater international support. Zelensky reiterated the urgent need for modern air defense systems, which could have prevented much of the destruction.
Despite the devastation, many Ukrainians remain defiant. Standing near the wreckage, Evhen Povarenkov could not retrieve his personal belongings but refused to give in to despair. “This is my home,” he said quietly, staring at the twisted remains of his apartment, while rescue teams continued their grim work nearby.
Conclusion
Russia’s latest missile barrage on Kyiv has once again highlighted the appalling human cost of the war. As the death toll continues to rise, Ukraine’s fight for survival grows ever more desperate, dependent not only on its own resilience but on the solidarity and action of the international community.
Read More: Latest Developments in Russia-Ukraine War