A massive overnight barrage on Thursday left at least 23 people dead in the Ukrainian capital, including four children, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, calling for “strong sanctions” and tougher global pressure on Moscow. Eight people remain unaccounted for and 53 were injured, according to his update.
Rescue operations at one of the worst-hit sites—a residential building in the Darnytskyi district—have concluded, Zelenskyy said, reporting 22 deaths at that location alone. The youngest victim was a girl “not even three years old.” He thanked first responders and medical staff and urged the world to hold Russia accountable for the strike and the wider campaign.
There was a report from Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko. At the site of the Russian strike on a residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, rescue operations have been completed, and work continues to clear the destroyed structures. At this moment, it… pic.twitter.com/5d7lNMsUMB
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 29, 2025
In a separate recorded message, Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of choosing “ballistics” over diplomacy and said daily Russian attacks must be met with consequences. “Russia only understands strength,” he said, urging more penalties, tariffs, and sustained military support for Ukraine.
In Washington we heard that Putin is supposedly ready to end the war – to meet at the leaders’ level and resolve key issues. But instead he chooses ballistics over any real steps toward peace. He kills children in order not to talk about when and how peace will come. pic.twitter.com/DWw5F2Bh2t
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 28, 2025
European institutions moved swiftly. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would summon Russia’s envoy in Brussels after the EU Delegation’s Kyiv offices were damaged in the strikes, stressing that “no diplomatic mission should ever be a target.”
The UK also summoned the Russian ambassador after confirming major damage to a British Council building in the city. London’s action followed public condemnations by senior officials, as emergency crews continued clearing debris across several districts of Kyiv.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the bombardment “terror and barbarism,” citing an unprecedented volume of missiles and drones launched in a single night and noting damage to EU and British cultural offices.
Zelenskyy framed the assault as proof that Moscow is not serious about peace, arguing that the Kremlin is modernizing “Shahed”-type drones and deepening military ties with partners such as North Korea even as it signals willingness to talk. He urged the United States, Europe, and G20 countries to demonstrate their collective leverage “now.”
Officials in Kyiv cautioned that casualty figures could change as clearing work proceeds and the missing are accounted for. The city’s emergency services continue recovery and structural assessments across affected neighborhoods, while diplomats in Europe weigh additional measures in response to the strike on Ukraine’s capital.
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