8 dead, dozens injured in major Russian airstrike on Kyiv

New Delhi, Apr 24: At least eight people were killed and over 80 injured, including children and a pregnant woman, after Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, officials said Thursday.

The barrage, involving some 70 missiles and 150 drones, triggered widespread fires and building collapses across multiple districts of Kyiv. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said several children remain missing and that rescue teams are still pulling people from the rubble as reported by the media.

The Svyatoshynskyi district suffered the heaviest damage, while five other areas were also struck. In Kharkiv, near the Russian border, two people were injured in a separate strike, authorities confirmed.

The assault forced President Volodymyr Zelensky to cut short a diplomatic visit to Donald Trump, who said Crimea was “lost years ago.” Ukraine rejected any plan to freeze current frontlines, insisting on a full ceasefire as the only path to peace. Russia’s defence ministry did not comment on the Kyiv strikes but claimed to have intercepted 87 Ukrainian drones over its own territory.

US President Donald Trump condemned the strikes in Kyiv Tump posted a message on Truth Social account, saying, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”