Russia unleashed its deadliest assault on Kyiv in nine months, killing at least 12 civilians in an 11-hour barrage of missiles and drones that devastated five neighborhoods across Ukraine’s capital.
Quick Takes
- Russian forces launched a massive overnight attack on Kyiv using both drones and ballistic missiles, with at least 45 drones detected.
- The death toll has risen to at least 12 civilians with approximately 90 injured, including children, making it the deadliest strike since July 2024.
- President Donald Trump condemned the Russian bombardment and called on President Putin to halt attacks and begin peace negotiations.
- The 11-hour assault targeted five Kyiv neighborhoods, causing fires in residential buildings across multiple districts.
- The attack occurred while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was in South Africa, forcing his immediate return amid stalled peace talks.
Devastating Multi-Hour Assault on Ukraine’s Capital
Kyiv endured its most destructive Russian attack in nine months during the early hours of April 24, 2025. Beginning around 1:00 a.m., Russian forces bombarded the Ukrainian capital with a combined assault of 66 missiles and 145 drones that persisted for nearly 11 hours. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, the attack struck at least five neighborhoods, with rescue operations continuing throughout the day. The prolonged barrage marks a significant escalation in Russia’s offensive against civilian infrastructure.
Fires erupted in residential buildings across the Sviatoshynkskyi, Shevchenkivsky, and Holosiivskyi districts as emergency services struggled to respond to multiple locations simultaneously. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed that at least 42 people required hospitalization, with many suffering from severe injuries. Residential structures bore the brunt of the attack, with several apartment buildings sustaining critical damage or complete destruction.
Just hours after Donald Trump claimed a peace deal was within reach, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kiev. Randolph Nogel has more pic.twitter.com/Lnv2IWvr2Z
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) April 24, 2025
Trump’s Diplomatic Response and Peace Efforts
In a notable diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong condemnation of the Russian strikes on Kyiv. The President urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately halt the bombardment of Ukrainian cities and return to the negotiating table. This stance represents a significant diplomatic position from the Trump administration, which has previously emphasized the importance of finding a path to peace in the ongoing conflict.
The attack follows recent tension between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over peace terms. Trump has previously criticized Zelenskyy for refusing to cede Crimea to Russia, suggesting this stance has prolonged the conflict. The Ukrainian president has consistently maintained that recognizing occupied territory as Russian is unacceptable, creating a significant diplomatic hurdle in peace negotiations that this latest attack further complicates.
Humanitarian Impact and International Response
The civilian toll continues to rise as rescue operations proceed through damaged buildings. With 12 confirmed dead and approximately 90 injured, including children, the humanitarian impact of the strike has shocked international observers. Ukrainian officials report that emergency services are working at maximum capacity, with many victims still potentially trapped under rubble. The strike has severely strained Kyiv’s medical facilities as they struggle to treat the influx of wounded civilians.
President Zelenskyy cut short his diplomatic visit to South Africa and returned to Ukraine to address the crisis. The timing of the attack while Ukraine’s leader was abroad has raised questions about Russia’s tactical motivations. International pressure on Russia to participate in direct negotiations has intensified following the attack, with several Western allies scheduling emergency discussions on additional support measures for Ukraine and potential diplomatic initiatives to restart ceasefire talks.
Sources:
- Russia launches Kyiv missile attack hours after Trump says peace deal ‘very close’
- Russia blamed for overnight strike on Kyiv that killed at least 9, injured dozens, including children
- Russian strike on Kyiv kills at least 12 in biggest attack on Ukrainian capital since last summer
