Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, July 31, killing at least six people — including a six-year-old boy and his mother — and injuring at least 82 others, Ukrainian officials said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that over 300 drones and eight missiles were launched during the attack, with several striking residential areas of the capital.
“Today the world once again witnessed Russia's response to our pursuit of peace with America and Europe. Peace without strength is impossible,” Zelenskiy said via Telegram.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that nine children were among the injured — the highest number of child casualties in a single night since the full-scale invasion began more than three years ago.
Among the survivors was 62-year-old Yurii Kravchuk, who stood wrapped in a blanket beside a damaged building, a bandage around his head. “I started waking up my wife when the explosion happened... My daughter ended up in the hospital,” he told reporters.
Emergency responders worked through the wreckage, extinguishing fires and cutting through debris in search of survivors.
Explosions were heard across Kyiv for several hours, with fires lighting up the night sky. Schools and hospitals were among buildings damaged in 27 different locations, officials confirmed.
The Ukrainian air force reported five confirmed missile strikes and 21 drone impacts across 12 areas in the city. It added that 288 drones and three cruise missiles had been intercepted.
Despite Russia’s repeated denials of targeting civilians, it has intensified air strikes on cities far from the front lines in recent months.
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In Washington, President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the United States would begin imposing tariffs and other penalties on Russia “10 days from today” if there was no progress toward ending the war.
"This is Putin's answer to Trump’s ultimatum,” said Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. “The world must respond with a tribunal and the highest level of pressure.”
Zelenskiy also shared footage of the aftermath, showing burning ruins and a partially destroyed residential building where people remained trapped beneath the rubble.
