Lead
Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine's capital and other regions early Thursday, killing at least five people and wounding dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack, described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as not the actions of those who believe the war is ending, involved hundreds of drones and missiles and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from Al Jazeera and RFI — English provide slightly different casualty figures. Al Jazeera, citing Ukrainian authorities, reported at least three people killed and 40 wounded. RFI, quoting President Zelenskyy, said five people were killed and around 40 wounded in the capital. Both outlets agree on the scale of the attack, with Al Jazeera noting that Russia used more than 1,560 drones against Ukraine's cities and communities since midnight, while RFI, citing the Ukrainian air force, said 675 attack drones and 56 missiles were launched, mainly at Kyiv.
President Zelenskyy, in a post on X, detailed the impact: rescue operations were continuing after an attack on a nine-storey building in Kyiv. He also mentioned that residential buildings, a school, a vet clinic, and other civilian infrastructure were damaged. The Ukrainian military said the overnight strikes hit six districts of Kyiv and another six in the surrounding areas. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said attacks had also targeted ports in the Odesa region and railways.
The attack has been framed as a setback for peace efforts, particularly after US President Donald Trump had raised hopes for a ceasefire. Russia, in a statement, said its strikes were retaliatory in nature, targeting military-linked sites and energy facilities that support the Ukrainian army.
Key Claims
- Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv, killing at least three people and wounding 40 others, as reported by Al Jazeera. RFI reported at least five killed and around 40 wounded.
- The Ukrainian military said the overnight strikes hit six districts of Kyiv and six in surrounding areas, according to Al Jazeera.
- President Zelenskyy said rescue operations were continuing after an attack on a nine-storey building, as reported by Al Jazeera.
- Russia used more than 1,560 drones against Ukraine's cities and communities since midnight, a claim from Zelenskyy carried by Al Jazeera.
- The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 675 attack drones and 56 missiles, mainly at Kyiv, as reported by RFI. Air defence units downed 652 drones and 41 missiles, according to the same source.
- Russia said its strikes were retaliatory in nature, targeting military-linked sites and energy facilities, a statement reported by RFI.
- Al Jazeera reported that attacks also targeted ports in the Odesa region and railways, according to Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba.
- Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 40 people were wounded, including two children, while emergency services reported three killed, as reported by Al Jazeera.
- Al Jazeera's reporting from Kyiv noted that people were still feared trapped under rubble and that the attack was one of Russia's largest of the war in terms of drone numbers.