A deadly missile and drone attack hit Kyiv overnight Tuesday, killing one person and injuring 40 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack caused widespread damage and fires in several parts of the city.
The strike is the latest in a series of attacks on Kyiv using drones and missiles. It happened while world leaders gathered in Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned to attend.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, reported that a U.S. citizen died from shrapnel wounds in the attack. He said explosions echoed throughout the night in the capital.
Klymenko added that about 30 apartments were destroyed in one residential block alone. Emergency crews rushed to a collapsed building, searching through rubble for more victims. Officials warned the death toll might rise.
The missile and drone strikes hit several districts, including Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said debris from drones shot down by Ukraine’s air defenses started fires in two other districts.
Russia has increased drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks. The escalation followed a bold operation by Ukraine’s Security Service, which targeted Russian warplanes inside Russia.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have shown little progress. Talks held in Istanbul have only led to prisoner exchanges, expected to finish next week, according to President Zelenskyy.
The timing of the attack coincided with the G7 summit in Canada. Canada took the G7 presidency this year and invited President Zelenskyy to attend. At the summit, Zelenskyy was to meet world leaders one-on-one.
One planned meeting was with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the White House announced that Trump would return to Washington earlier than expected due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
The missile and drone attacks have caused widespread damage in Kyiv. Apart from destroyed apartments, many residents were wounded. Emergency services continue rescue operations amid ongoing threats.
Kyiv remains under frequent attacks as the conflict continues. The city’s defenses have shot down many drones, but the threat persists. Officials warn residents to stay alert as the situation remains tense.
The recent strikes demonstrate the ongoing dangers faced by civilians in Kyiv. Authorities urge caution as they work to clear debris and find survivors in damaged buildings.
The conflict’s toll on Ukraine’s capital grows with each attack. International attention remains focused on the situation, especially during major diplomatic meetings like the G7 summit.
