Ukraine reports one of the largest aerial attacks on its capital since the war began, as pressure mounts for a ceasefire.
KYIV — May 24, 2025
Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Kyiv overnight, injuring at least 15 civilians and damaging apartment buildings across six districts of the Ukrainian capital, officials said Saturday.
What Happened
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired 14 ballistic missiles and deployed more than 250 long-range drones in what authorities described as one of the most extensive combined strikes of the three-year war. Kyiv was the primary target.
Explosions were heard throughout the city as air defense systems worked to intercept incoming drones. Several apartment buildings were hit, sparking fires and blowing out windows. By morning, residents emerged to assess the damage. Emergency services confirmed 15 injuries but no fatalities at the time of reporting.
What Led to This / Background
The attack follows several days of Ukrainian drone operations targeting sites inside Russia, including the capital, Moscow. Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out more than 800 drone strikes in that period.
Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, had vowed retaliation. While no official statement from Moscow was issued regarding the latest strikes, observers consider it a direct response to Ukraine’s recent drone activity.
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Reactions from Officials / Experts
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the night as “tough” and used the occasion to call for stronger international sanctions on Russia. “Only additional sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire,” he said in a Telegram post.
He added that each successive strike only proves that Moscow is the main reason the war continues.
Local residents expressed fear and frustration. “I wish they’d agree to a ceasefire,” said Olha Chyrukha, 64, whose granddaughter was traumatized by the explosions. “The poor children… she was screaming, terrified.”
Olha Kalina, another resident in the heavily hit Obolon district, said her apartment was destroyed by fire while her two children, aged 13 and 20, were inside. “The kids rang me at three in the morning and said: ‘Mum, we’ve been hit. The balcony’s on fire.’”
Ongoing Investigation / Broader Context
In the aftermath of the attack, Kyiv city officials reported property damage in six different districts. Firefighters were still working through the wreckage as dawn broke.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to comply with a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to restart ceasefire talks. A prisoner exchange carried out Friday was cited as a potential step toward de-escalation, though both sides continue to question each other’s commitment to peace.
No immediate statements were made by Russian defense authorities about the strikes.
Optional Fictional Quote
“This attack underscores how far both sides are from a lasting ceasefire,” said Anna Kobelko, a Kyiv-based security analyst. “Even with diplomatic gestures, the military pressure is only intensifying on the ground.”
Closing Paragraph
As talks over a possible ceasefire loom, Ukraine faces another day of cleanup and recovery. With escalating aerial warfare and mutual distrust between Moscow and Kyiv, the path to peace remains uncertain — even as the humanitarian cost grows.
