Russia launched on Tuesday a massive barrage of drones and missiles, killing at least 16 people in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. A nine-story apartment block in Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district collapsed, leaving a mountain of debris. Emergency crews rescued survivors, including an elderly woman pulled from shattered windows.
Zelenskiy Condemns ‘Terrorism’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy labeled the attack “pure terrorism,” urging global leaders to confront Putin. He reported 440 drones and 32 missiles targeting Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, while Russia claimed strikes on military sites, but residential areas, schools, and infrastructure bore the brunt.
Kyiv retaliated with drones deep into Russia, though civilian harm remains lower, with Moscow intercepting 147 drones, including near Moscow. Analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko noted Russia’s new tactic: overwhelming air defenses by focusing strikes on single cities.
Peace Talks Stall, Frontlines Heat Up
Despite recent Istanbul negotiations, tensions surged. Russia advanced in eastern Ukraine and opened a new front in Sumy. US President Donald Trump, now favoring Moscow’s stance, skipped meetings with Zelenskiy at the G7 summit, urging Russia’s readmission to the G7, defying allies.
Zelenskiy seeks tighter sanctions and military aid at the G7, but Trump’s shifting policies complicate unity. The war’s fourth year intensifies as Kyiv mourns its deadliest strike yet, demanding global accountability.
