**Russian Missile and Drone Attacks on Kyiv Leave Six Dead, 82 Wounded**
A devastating wave of missile and drone attacks by Russia hit the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, resulting in at least six deaths, including a six-year-old boy and his mother. The attacks also left 82 others wounded, according to Ukrainian officials.
The assault was carried out just days after US President Donald Trump warned Russia that the United States would impose tariffs and other measures on Moscow if it did not make progress towards ending the conflict. The attacks have been condemned by the international community, with many calling for maximum pressure on Russia to be brought to an end.
**A Desperate Appeal from Kyiv**
The attacks were launched despite a ceasefire agreement that was supposed to take effect earlier this month. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has described the assault as “Russia’s response” to Ukraine’s desire for peace with America and Europe, highlighting the difficulty of achieving peace without strength.
“We have seen once again today what Russia’s answer is,” Zelenskiy said in a statement on Telegram. “The world must know that peace without strength is impossible.”
**Eyewitness Accounts from Kyiv**
Residents who witnessed the attacks described the chaos and destruction that followed. Yurii Kravchuk, 62, was trapped under his bed when the missile alert sounded, but unfortunately, he did not make it to a shelter in time. His daughter ended up in the hospital after being injured in the attack.
“I started waking my wife and then there was an explosion,” Kravchuk told Reuters. “My daughter ended up in the hospital.”
**Emergency Response Underway**
Emergency crews were on the scene quickly, working to put out fires and rescue survivors trapped under rubble. Schools and hospitals were among the buildings hit across 27 locations in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian air force reported five direct missile hits and 21 drone hits in 12 locations. Despite their best efforts, five attack drones and three cruise missiles managed to evade Ukraine’s defenses and strike key targets in the city.
**A Call for Action**
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko called on the international community to take decisive action against Russia, saying that “this is Putin’s response” to Trump’s deadlines. She urged the world to respond with a tribunal and maximum pressure on Moscow.
As the people of Kyiv struggle to come to terms with the devastating attacks, one thing is clear: it is time for the world to take a stand against Russian aggression.
Read More @ www.reuters.com
