European leaders have expressed shock and anger after Russian missile strikes on Kyiv left at least 19 people dead, including four children, and destroyed homes in the Ukrainian capital. The attack also damaged the European Union’s mission office and nearby cultural institutions.
Rescue workers rushed through the night, pulling survivors from the rubble of a five-storey apartment block in the Darnytskyi district. Families were torn apart in seconds, with children as young as two among the victims.
The strikes marked one of the deadliest assaults on Kyiv in recent months, with Ukrainian officials reporting that nearly 600 drones and more than 30 missiles were launched in a single wave. The bombardment also left tens of thousands without electricity as energy infrastructure was targeted across the country.
European leaders condemned the attack, calling it a brutal escalation that mocked ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure peace. Many described it as proof that Moscow continues to choose “missiles over dialogue.”
Ukraine’s president said the attacks were not only an assault on civilians but also a direct message against international appeals for a ceasefire. He called for tougher sanctions and stronger security guarantees for Ukraine.
Images from the scene showed shattered buildings, smoke rising from collapsed homes, and rescuers holding children’s toys found in the rubble. Survivors took shelter in underground metro stations as alarms rang out across the capital.
Despite the devastation, Ukraine’s leadership vowed to press on, working with allies to strengthen defenses and pursue guarantees that would prevent future attacks. But the strikes underscored the grim reality: Russia’s war shows no sign of slowing down, and the human cost continues to rise.