Ukraine says 15 people hurt in ‘massive’ Russian attack on the capital

Kyiv Rocked by One of War’s Largest Attacks as Russia Fires Drones, Missiles Overnight

preCharge News WORLD — Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv overnight, firing waves of ballistic missiles and long-range drones that injured at least 15 civilians and destroyed residential buildings across the city.

Explosions thundered through the capital for hours early Saturday. Reuters reporters on the ground described an unrelenting onslaught of drones buzzing above Kyiv, followed by sharp detonations and the roar of anti-aircraft fire.

By dawn, six districts reported damage, with firefighters still battling isolated fires in apartment buildings. The city’s military administration called it “one of the most massive combined attacks” since Russia’s full-scale invasion began three years ago.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a Telegram post, labeled the night “tough” and urged world leaders to impose stronger economic sanctions on Moscow. “Only additional sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Civilians in Kyiv Awaken to Devastation

Photos from the scene captured the eerie orange-red glow of fire spreading across the skyline. Plumes of smoke blanketed the horizon. In one apartment building, flames spilled from a shattered balcony as emergency crews scrambled to reach survivors.

Among the injured were two children, according to officials. Three individuals required hospitalization.

Halyna Tatarchuk, 63, and her husband were in their apartment when a drone slammed into their building. “We were in the corridor away from the windows. That saved us,” she said, her kitchen now strewn with shards of broken glass.

“I’d like Trump to see this,” Tatarchuk added. “What’s he doing? Can he really not see this? They are destroying us.”

On the street below, broken car windows and splintered trees marked the trail of destruction. City workers deployed mini-excavators to begin clearing debris.

Trump Encourages Peace Talks While Pushing Back on Sanctions

The timing of the attack is striking. It came just hours after former President Donald Trump publicly encouraged Ukraine and Russia to pursue ceasefire talks, while simultaneously opposing new European sanctions on Moscow.

This dual-track approach has drawn criticism from both Ukrainian officials and European leaders who view sanctions as leverage to contain Moscow’s military ambitions.

“The Russian attacks show who truly obstructs peace,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, noting that Russia “still hasn’t sent its peace memorandum. Instead, it is sending deadly drones and missiles at civilians.”

Russia Escalates After Ukrainian Drone Strikes Inside Moscow

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired 14 ballistic missiles and launched over 250 drones targeting critical infrastructure, with Kyiv as the focal point.

The strikes appear to be retaliation for Ukraine’s recent drone campaign. Ukrainian forces launched roughly 800 strikes over the past week, including rare hits on targets in Moscow itself.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov vowed retaliation. Less than 24 hours later, Kyiv was under fire.

Russia’s Defense Ministry also claimed Saturday that its troops had seized three settlements—Stupochki, Otradne, and Loknia—in the Donetsk and Sumy regions. These claims remain unverified by independent sources.

Peace Efforts Stall as Moscow Insists on Territorial Concessions

Though Moscow has expressed interest in a peaceful resolution, it continues to demand that Kyiv acknowledge Russia’s control over occupied territories—conditions Ukraine has flatly rejected.

Russian negotiators say they are drafting a “peace memorandum,” but no date or location for future talks has been announced.

U.S. intelligence officials view the attacks on Kyiv as a strategic signal meant to undermine Ukrainian morale and influence future negotiation terms.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is pushing the international community to act decisively. “The only language the Kremlin understands is economic pressure,” he told officials earlier this week.