Russia has escalated its aerial offensive on Ukraine with a devastating overnight barrage targeting the capital, Kyiv, that left at least 11 people dead and more than 135 injured, including several children. The intensified assault comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 10-day ultimatum to Moscow to agree to a ceasefire or face harsher sanctions.
Ukrainian authorities reported that the seven-hour assault, which lasted into early Thursday morning, involved more than 300 drones and eight missiles launched by Russian forces. One of the strikes directly hit a high-rise apartment building, causing extensive casualties and infrastructure damage.
Among the dead was at least one child, while 12 other children were among the injured. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the attack damaged 27 sites across four districts, including residential buildings, schools, and a children’s hospital. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, described the widespread destruction as among the worst the city has seen in recent months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as part of a continued Russian strategy to terrorize civilians and pressure Ukraine into concessions. The attacks follow a third round of peace talks held in Istanbul last week, which ended with both Ukrainian and Russian negotiators admitting no significant progress had been made.
Ukraine Urges an End to Diplomacy Window
In response to the attacks, Ukrainian officials called on the United States to abandon the diplomatic timeline set by President Trump and increase pressure on the Kremlin.
“It is probably time to reduce to zero all of the timeframes that had been given to Putin to demonstrate a constructive approach,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
“President Trump has been very generous and very patient with Putin, trying to find a solution. But Putin does it on purpose. He does not care about any attempts to put an end to the killing. He only seeks to destroy and kill.”
Sybiha urged the U.S. and its allies to impose maximum pressure, including an expansion of sanctions on Russia.
Russia Claims Capture of Chasiv Yar
Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry claimed Thursday to have fully captured Chasiv Yar, a key hilltop city in eastern Ukraine, after more than two years of fighting. The city, located in the Donetsk region, holds strategic importance as its elevation provides a tactical advantage over nearby Ukrainian-held territories.
If confirmed, the capture of Chasiv Yar would mark a major setback for Ukraine and a symbolic victory for Russia’s military, which has launched a renewed summer offensive. Analysts from open-source intelligence group DeepState—which is closely aligned with Ukraine’s defence ministry—indicated that much of the city was now either under Russian control or contested.
Ukraine’s military has not officially acknowledged the loss of Chasiv Yar, but the developments suggest Russia is regaining momentum in the eastern theatre at a pace not seen since the early phase of the 2022 full-scale invasion.
Ongoing Conflict and Uncertain Path Forward
The latest escalation highlights the fragile state of diplomatic efforts and the continued volatility on the battlefield. With President Trump’s ultimatum approaching its deadline, pressure is mounting for a shift in Western policy towards Moscow. Meanwhile, civilians in Ukraine continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that shows no sign of abating.
The attacks on Kyiv and the contested fall of Chasiv Yar underscore the urgent need for a unified international response as the war enters a critical phase.
