Russian Forces Launch Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv, Killing Seven and Injuring Dozens
In the early hours of Thursday, July 31, 2025, Russian forces unleashed a large-scale combined drone and cruise missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction.
Key Details of the Attack:
Casualties: Ukrainian authorities confirmed that at least seven people were killed, including a six-year-old boy. The death toll tragically rose from an initial six fatalities as rescue operations continued. At least 52 people were injured, with 29 requiring hospitalization. Among the injured were nine children and three police officers. The Kyiv City Military Administration head, Tymur Tkachenko, stated that the number of casualties was expected to rise as emergency crews continued search and rescue operations under the rubble.
Targets and Damage: The coordinated nighttime assault struck at least 27 locations across Kyiv, primarily targeting residential neighborhoods and public infrastructure.
One of the most severely impacted areas was the Sviatoshynskyi district, where a nine-story residential building suffered a direct hit and partially collapsed, trapping residents.
The Solomianskyi district also sustained heavy damage, with an educational facility and apartment blocks being struck.
Damage was additionally reported in the Holosiivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts.
Fires ignited, buildings were toppled, and windows were shattered across multiple areas, indicating the widespread nature of the blasts.
Munitions Used: The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia fired 309 Shahed and decoy drones and eight Iskander-K cruise missiles overnight.
Air Defense Response: Ukrainian air defenses mounted a robust response, intercepting and jamming a significant number of incoming threats. They reportedly shot down or suppressed by electronic warfare 288 strike UAVs and three Iskander-K cruise missiles. However, five missiles and 21 drones still managed to strike their targets, causing the reported damage and casualties.
President Zelenskyy's Response: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as a "deliberate campaign of terror" and "showcase killings." He shared harrowing video footage of the destruction and urged international partners to intensify pressure on Moscow towards a "real negotiating table," emphasizing that "all the tools needed for this are in the hands of our partners."
Context: This intense bombardment occurred just days after US President Donald Trump reportedly issued a ten-day ultimatum to Russia to halt its full-scale invasion of Ukraine or face sweeping new tariffs and sanctions. While the Kremlin has not formally responded to the ultimatum, the timing of the bombardment has led to widespread speculation that it was a direct and forceful message from Moscow to Washington.
Rescue teams were extensively involved at the numerous impact sites, diligently searching for people trapped under rubble and providing critical assistance to the injured. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, highlighted the unusually high number of injured children, noting it was the most during a single night in Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
