Death toll in attack on Kyiv apartment building rises to 24

Lead

The death toll from a Russian missile strike on a nine-storey apartment building in Kyiv has risen to 24, including three children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Friday. The attack, which occurred on Thursday in the city's Darnytskyi district, was part of what the Ukrainian air force described as Russia's largest aerial assault on the country since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. In response, Ukraine launched a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting Russian energy and military infrastructure, while Kyiv observed a day of mourning.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting across international outlets consistently confirmed the core details of the attack. ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and The Hindu all reported that 24 people were killed, including three children, when the nine-storey apartment building was destroyed. ABC Australia and The Guardian specified that the building was hit by a cruise missile, while the Ukrainian air force characterised the assault as the largest barrage since the invasion's start.

Sources varied slightly in their details. ABC Australia and The Guardian reported six people killed in western Ukraine, far from the front line, while The Hindu noted the death of three teenagers in the Kyiv strike and mentioned a slightly higher drone count of over 1,560. Al Jazeera and The Guardian focused on Ukraine's retaliatory drone attacks, with Al Jazeera reporting four people killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on Ryazan, Russia—a figure also carried by The Guardian and ABC Australia.

All four outlets framed the attack as part of Russia's aggression, with ABC Australia's headline emphasising Ukraine's vow of retribution and Al Jazeera and The Guardian highlighting the subsequent Ukrainian drone offensive. The Hindu's coverage remained more neutral, focusing on the death toll and destruction.

Key Claims

• Death toll and destruction: All sources reported that 24 people, including three children, were killed when a nine-storey apartment building in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district was destroyed by a missile strike on Thursday. The Hindu specified that local officials identified three teenagers among the dead. Emergency teams completed their search of the rubble on Friday, according to Mr Zelenskyy's statements on X (formerly Twitter).
• Scale of Russian assault: Ukrainian officials said Russia launched over 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles at targets across Ukraine since Wednesday, damaging about 180 sites, including more than 50 residential buildings. The Hindu reported a figure of over 1,560 drones. The Ukrainian air force called the attack the largest since the war began.
• Retaliatory drone strikes: Ukraine launched a large-scale long-range drone attack on Friday targeting Russian energy and military infrastructure across several regions. The regional governor said at least four people, including a child, were killed in a drone strike on Ryazan, which also hit a major oil refinery. Russia's Defense Ministry said air defences downed 355 drones overnight, and several airports suspended flights.
• Prisoner exchange: Ukraine and Russia exchanged 205 prisoners of war as part of a planned 1,000-for-1,000 swap, according to ABC Australia and The Hindu. Footage of tearful Ukrainian soldiers and jubilant Russian troops emerged on Friday.
• Presidential statements and context: Mr Zelenskyy visited the site, calling the attacks 'entirely justified' responses against Russia's oil and weapons industries. He warned that Russia's attacks would not go unpunished and said he had discussed long-range strikes with senior military, security and intelligence officials. The Guardian reported that the Council of Europe, meeting in Moldova, moved towards setting up a war crimes court to try Russia's leadership. The Hindu noted that the attacks followed a May 9-11 ceasefire that US President Donald Trump had asked both leaders to observe, and that they ran counter to recent suggestions that the war was close to ending.

Perspectives

Ukrainian government: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, visiting the site and vowing retribution. He said Ukraine's responses against Russia's oil industry, weapons industry, and those responsible for war crimes were 'entirely justified.' He also alleged that Russia was preparing strikes against more than 20 decision-making centres across Ukraine.

Russian government: Russia's Defense Ministry said air defences downed 355 Ukrainian drones overnight, characterising the attacks as significant. No other official Russian statements were included in the provided reporting.

US government: US President Donald Trump was reported to have asked both leaders to observe a ceasefire on May 9-11, and had suggested the war might be close to ending, though the recent attacks contradicted that assessment.

Council of Europe: The secretary general, Alain Berset, said the organisation was moving towards setting up a war crimes court to try Russia's leadership, urging action to secure its functioning and funding.