KYIV, Ukraine (AP), Rescuers in Kyiv worked through the night Thursday, pulling survivors from the rubble after Russian missile and drone strikes ripped through apartment blocks, killing at least two people and injuring more than 30. Emergency officials said dozens were trapped as entire sections of residential buildings collapsed under the bombardment, one of the largest in recent weeks.
Kyiv is Ukraine’s historic heart and modern capital, perched on the Dnieper River, where centuries of culture and today’s geopolitics converge.
The strikes underscore the vulnerability of Ukraine’s urban centers despite advanced air defenses. Kyiv’s mayor reported water and power disruptions across several districts, while families huddled in shelters as rescuers dug through debris. The attack, involving more than 50 missiles and hundreds of drones, highlights Russia’s continued escalation and its toll on civilians.
“This volume of fire is designed to exhaust Ukraine’s defenses and terrorize the population,” said Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military analyst. Humanitarian experts warned the strikes deepen displacement crises and strain fragile infrastructure, with schools and hospitals forced to close temporarily.
Not all observers see the assault as a show of strength. Some analysts argue that deploying hundreds of drones in a single night reflects desperation rather than dominance, suggesting Moscow is relying on quantity over precision. “It’s a blunt instrument, not a sustainable strategy,” said one European defense official.
International reaction was swift. European leaders condemned the strikes, while Washington and Brussels renewed calls for stronger air defense support. The United Nations warned of worsening humanitarian needs, and aid groups prepared for another wave of displaced families. Analysts noted the global ripple effects, from volatile energy markets to heightened geopolitical tensions.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and resilience. “We heard the building shake, then everything went dark,” said Olena, a Kyiv resident who escaped with her children. “Neighbors are still under the rubble. We are praying they come out alive.”
As rescuers continue to search for survivors, the devastation in Kyiv serves as a stark reminder that the war’s front line is not only on the battlefield but in the homes of ordinary people. Every collapsed wall is a testament to the human cost of a conflict that refuses to fade .and a call for renewed urgency to end it.
