A massive overnight attack hit Kyiv and several other cities across Ukraine. Explosions filled the sky as over 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched. The Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, faced one of the worst hits in 2025, with missiles and drones raining down while people were still asleep in their homes.
One nine-storey apartment building in Kyiv collapsed after being hit directly. Thick smoke covered the area as rescue teams rushed to search for survivors. More than 15 people lost their lives in the attack, including an American citizen. Over 110 people were injured.
In Odessa, a kindergarten was destroyed. A 60-year-old woman died there, and 17 more were hurt. Other cities, such as Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, and Kropyvnytskyi, were also attacked.
Kyiv’s mayor visited the site of the collapsed building and said the number of dead was expected to rise. He mentioned that at least five people were still missing. Rescue workers searched through the rubble as the sun rose, looking for anyone who might still be alive.
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Widespread Destruction as Civilians Targeted
Many cities woke up to scenes of destruction. In total, 175 drones, 14 cruise missiles, and two ballistic missiles were fired at Kyiv and its suburbs. Houses, schools, and apartment buildings were turned to ruins. The attack happened just as the Group of Seven (G-7) countries were holding a major meeting in Canada.
Ukraine’s president said that the attack happened because the country launching it believes it can keep fighting without serious consequences. He added that when other powerful countries don’t take strong action, it encourages more violence.
A 62-year-old American was among the dead in Kyiv. He was found in a house near where medics were treating other injured people. The building nearby had been turned to rubble, and many residents were inside sleeping when the attack hit. Streets were covered in broken glass, bricks, and dust. People stood outside, crying and trying to reach loved ones trapped inside.
Russia claimed that it only targeted military factories and other related sites. But Ukraine and local officials said that homes and public places were clearly hit, with no military connection. Russia has often denied attacking civilians, even when buildings filled with families were destroyed.
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While all this was happening, leaders from the G-7 nations were meeting to talk about global issues, including the war in Ukraine. But the leader of one major country left the meeting early to deal with another situation in the Middle East. He had been scheduled to meet with Ukraine’s president but did not.
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During the summit, calls for stronger action against Russia grew louder. Other G-7 countries have asked for more penalties, such as new economic sanctions. But one key country has been hesitant to agree. Its leader said he wanted to see what Europe would do first and warned that sanctions would be expensive for his own country.
He also criticized the G-7’s decision to remove Russia from the group in 2014. Back then, Russia had invaded and taken over the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Some believe that keeping Russia in the group might have prevented this war, but many disagree and point out that Russia was punished for breaking international rules.
Ukrainian officials said that the timing of the recent attacks, during the G-7 meeting, was not a coincidence. They believe it was meant to show that the world’s strongest leaders are not willing to stop the violence. One official posted on social media that the attacker “wanted to send a message of disrespect” to the international community.
As buildings continued to burn and rescuers dug through debris, the world watched. Families waited for news of their loved ones, and many are left with the ruins of what were once their homes.