A lethal Russian attack in Kyiv results in 15 casualties, causing apprehension about the prospect of peace negotiations
In a series of escalating events, Ukraine and the European Union have experienced a night of devastating aerial attacks, with both sides accusing the other of sabotaging hopes of peace.
The Russian government, led by President Vladimir Putin, conducted bombings of Ukrainian cities during the talks about a ceasefire with US President Donald Trump. The Kremlin insists its strikes on Ukraine will "continue", despite claims of interest in diplomacy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of not choosing to end the war and ruining opportunities for diplomacy. He denounced the attack as a "horrific and deliberate killing of civilians" and demanded new sanctions against Russia.
The EU summoned Russia's ambassador due to the overnight barrage damaging its delegation offices in Kyiv. EU officials posted photos of blown-out windows and the office ceiling partially collapsed. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused President Putin of "sabotaging hopes of peace" with the strikes. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Russian "terror and barbarism".
The attack caused a five-storey crater in one apartment block, splitting the building in two. Rescuers are searching through the smouldering rubble for victims and believe several people are still trapped. A resident named Andriy, whose flat was destroyed in the strike, survived by a narrow margin.
In response, Ukraine claimed to have hit two large refineries in Russia in its own overnight attacks. Ukraine's air force reports that Moscow fired 629 drones and missiles, making it the second-largest overnight barrage of the war.
Moscow has pushed back against the prospect of a Western military presence in Ukraine. However, Ukraine wants security guarantees, including Western troop deployments, before concluding any peace agreement. Russia remains interested in continuing the negotiation process, but is demanding Kyiv cede more territory and renounce Western military support as conditions for any peace deal.
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Russian armed forces are fulfilling their tasks and continuing to strike military and military-adjacent infrastructure facilities. President Putin has rejected multiple ceasefire calls from Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders.
Amidst the chaos, the British Council stated its premises had been "severely damaged" and would be closed until further notice. The international cultural relations organization's closure adds to the list of casualties in this ongoing conflict.
As the war in Ukraine continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no end in sight. The international community watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution that brings peace and stability to the region.
