Russia unleashes devastating overnight assault on Kyiv, leaving 15 dead and over 130 injured in the deadliest attack on Ukraine’s capital in years. The massive bombardment destroyed residential buildings and overwhelmed air defenses during a nine-hour onslaught that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned as “pure terrorism” while international leaders remain divided over continued military support.
Deadly Russian Attack Devastates Kyiv Neighborhoods
A massive Russian aerial bombardment pounded Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv early Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 130 others in one of the most severe attacks since the war began. The nighttime assault demolished a nine-story residential building and damaged infrastructure across 27 districts, leaving rescue workers frantically searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Russia launched an unprecedented barrage of over 440 drones and 32 missiles in an attack that lasted more than nine hours, overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense systems. A ballistic missile struck an apartment complex in Kyiv, collapsing portions of the structure and creating scenes of devastation that Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko described as “an utter nightmare” with “people trapped under rubble and full buildings collapsed.”
The Russian assault comes amid intensified fighting along Ukraine’s eastern front and follows unsuccessful peace negotiations between the warring nations. Moscow claims to target only military installations, but Monday’s strikes clearly hit civilian areas, adding to the United Nations’ documented toll of more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths since Russia’s full-scale invasion began over three years ago.
Among the dead was a U.S. citizen, according to Ukrainian officials, highlighting the international dimensions of a conflict that continues to draw global attention and resources. The attack destroyed approximately 30 apartments and damaged many more, with emergency crews working tirelessly to extinguish fires and clear debris in search of survivors.
Ukraine’s Plea for International Support Intensifies
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian bombardment as “one of the most terrifying strikes” and “pure terrorism,” directly blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin. “He is doing this simply because he can afford to continue the war,” Zelenskyy declared, expressing frustration at what he sees as inadequate international response to Russia’s continued aggression against Ukrainian civilians.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized the attack as showing “total disrespect” for international diplomacy, noting that it coincided with the G7 summit where Ukraine’s plight was being discussed. The timing of the assault appeared deliberate, occurring as world leaders gathered to address global crises including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russia killed at least 15 civilians in Kyiv tonight in one of the largest drone and missile attacks. More than 100 people are injured and many may be still under the rubble. Encouraged by the weak global leadership, Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine.
📷 @suspilne pic.twitter.com/uCzcR2icJs— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) June 17, 2025
Zelenskyy’s hopes to secure a meeting with U.S. President Trump at the G7 summit were dashed when Trump departed early to address a developing Middle East crisis. This setback underscores the challenge Ukraine faces in maintaining international focus on its defense needs as competing global conflicts vie for attention and resources.
The Ukrainian leader has been working to keep his country’s struggle at the forefront of international diplomacy amid uncertainty about continued U.S. military support. Recent bipartisan aid packages have provided crucial assistance, but questions remain about long-term commitment as both Russian and Ukrainian forces prepare for what military analysts predict will be an intensified summer campaign.
Escalating Warfare and Civilian Impact
Monday’s devastating strike appears to be part of Russia’s broader strategy of targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian morale. Beyond Kyiv, Russian forces also struck the southern port city of Odesa, killing one person and injuring 17 others, continuing a pattern of widespread attacks aimed at multiple Ukrainian population centers.
Ukrainian forces have responded with their own long-range drone attacks against Russian territory, prompting Moscow to temporarily halt civil aviation in several cities. The escalation follows a recent Ukrainian operation targeting Russian military aircraft, suggesting a cycle of retaliatory strikes that shows no signs of abating as both sides employ increasingly sophisticated weaponry.
“Waking up in an utter nightmare: people trapped under rubble and full buildings collapsed.” – Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko
Residents of Kyiv described scenes of terror as explosions rocked the city throughout the night, with many rushing to underground shelters during the prolonged assault. Local officials emphasized that no military infrastructure existed in the targeted residential areas, contradicting Russia’s claims about the nature of its strikes.
Two of Russia's largest air attacks of the war came as residents of Ukraine's capital prepared to mark Kyiv City Day today.
The national death toll so far stands at 11 –– 4 in Kyiv –– with dozens injured and damage to civilian infrastructure.
The attacks come exactly one month… https://t.co/C3dkJbHRtT pic.twitter.com/7FzOKEHJBK
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 25, 2025
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 147 Ukrainian drones in its own territory during the exchange, highlighting the increasingly technological nature of the conflict. Both sides continue to develop and deploy aerial weaponry, with Ukraine relying heavily on Western-supplied air defense systems that were insufficient to stop Monday’s massive assault.
The attack’s timing coincides with Russia’s summer offensive along Ukraine’s eastern and northeastern front lines, where Moscow’s forces have been making gradual territorial gains. Military analysts suggest the aerial bombardment may be part of a coordinated strategy to stretch Ukrainian resources and defense capabilities as ground fighting intensifies in the Donbas region.
As rescue operations continue in Kyiv, the human toll of what President Zelenskyy called “one of the most terrifying strikes” continues to mount. The bombardment has once again highlighted the vulnerability of civilian populations in this prolonged conflict and raised questions about the international community’s ability to protect Ukrainian citizens from such attacks.
Sources:
Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine kills 15, injures 131 – ABC News