Kyiv Death Toll Rises to 16 in Russia’s Missile Strike; Ukraine Urges UN Action

Update: Zelensky Confirms 16 Dead, Calls for UN Action

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has initiated an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting in response to the missile and drone assault on Kyiv. The emergency meeting, titled “Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine,” is scheduled for August 1.

In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky said:

According to updated figures, 16 people have died, including two children and one police officer. Over 150 others have been injured, including 16 children and 6 police officers.

In a separate post on X, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha described the attacks as deliberate and said they represent terror in response to international calls for peace.

President Zelensky praised emergency teams for their efforts. “All teams are working and trying to find more people under rubble. I am grateful to all of our brave first responders,” he said.

Earlier: Missile and Drone Attacks on Kyiv Shock Ukraine

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that Kyiv was the primary target of a major overnight air assault by Russia. Initial reports confirmed eight deaths, including a child, and 64 injuries. Residential neighborhoods were struck heavily.

Eight people, including a child, were killed in Russia’s massive overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital. At least 64 others were injured, including 10 children.

The strike hit residential areas. One apartment block in a residential district was struck so hard… pic.twitter.com/GFenFrZ7H4

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) July 31, 2025

In one of the most affected areas, a missile destroyed the entrance of a multi-story apartment block, causing part of the building to collapse. Emergency teams worked for hours to rescue trapped residents. In one case, a man was rescued alive after being buried under debris.

Wider Attacks Beyond Kyiv

Officials reported that Russia launched more than 300 drones and 8 missiles overnight. In addition to Kyiv, regions including Dnipro, Poltava, Sumy, and Mykolaiv were also targeted.

Documentation teams have been deployed to collect evidence of potential war crimes at impacted locations. Ukrainian officials say the deliberate targeting of residential areas constitutes a serious breach of international law.

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