Massive overnight Russian aerial attack kills 12 in Kyiv
Russia overnight Wednesday launched 598 Iranian-made drones, 11 ballistic missiles and 20 cruise missiles at Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Orel, Shatalovo and other areas of Ukraine, Kyiv's air forces said in a statement, adding only 589 of them were shot down.
"Missile and struck UAV impacts were recorded at 13 locations, with wreckage of downed targets falling in 26 locations," it said.
"The air attack is ongoing; air defense continues combat operations to destroy enemy targets."
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, announced the death toll for Ukraine's capital city on Telegram, stating 12 people have died, including three children ages 2, 14 and 17. When death toll was 10, he said 48 others were injured.
The death toll is expected to climb.
Several buildings in Kyiv had been hit, he said, causing extensive damage, and prompting the deployment of responders to rescue people trapped under rubble.
"Across Kyiv, the total number of damaged sites is again approaching hundreds, with thousands of broken windows and a shopping center in the city center was damaged," Tkachenko said late at night on Telegram.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the attack is "a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a cease-fire and for real diplomacy."
"Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war. And this means that Russia still does not fear the consequences. Russia still takes advantage of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin."
China and Hungary were explicitly called out by Zelensky, who said they expect a reaction from their leaders.
He also called for additional sanctions on Russia.
The attack comes ahead of meetings in New York on Friday between a Ukrainian delegation and representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump, who campaigned on ending the Ukraine war within 24 hours of returning the White House, has been pushing to achieve progress toward achieving a cease-fire in the war.
The American and Ukrainian leaders met earlier this month in Washington, D.C., ending with Trump stating he will work to broker a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has yet to occur.
In his Wednesday night address, Zelensky said his team that was going to New York includes those working on "the substance of the security guarantees" to be included in a potential cease-fire and peace agreement.
"The task is to move as fast as possible, so that this too becomes a lever -- a lever of influence," he said. "The Russians must see the seriousness of the world's resolve and how severe the consequences will be for Russia if the war continues."
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