Russian attack on Ukraine kills 15 people, injures 156

A Russian drone attacks a building during Russia’s massive missile and drone air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. Efrem Lukatsky — The Associated Press

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By Samya Kullab and Vasilisa Stepanenko

The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — An overnight Russian missile and drone bombardment of Ukraine killed 15 people and injured 156, local officials said Tuesday, with the main barrage demolishing a nine-story Kyiv apartment building in the deadliest attack on the capital this year.

At least 14 people were killed as explosions echoed across the Ukrainian capital for almost nine hours, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said, destroying dozens of apartments.

Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, calling the Kyiv attack “one of the most terrifying strikes” on the capital.

“Our families had a very difficult night, one of the biggest attacks from the very beginning of this war,” he said after arriving at the G7 summit in Canada.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said 139 people were injured in Kyiv. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said today would be an official day of mourning.

The attack came after two rounds of direct peace talks failed to make progress on ending the war, now in its fourth year.

Russia has repeatedly hit civilian areas of Ukraine with missiles and drones. The attacks have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations. Russia says it strikes only military targets.

Russia has in recent months stepped up its aerial attacks. It launched almost 500 drones at Ukraine on June 10 in the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the war. Russia also pounded Kyiv on April 24, killing 12 people.

The intensified long-range strikes have coincided with a Russian summer offensive on eastern and northeastern sections of the roughly 620-mile front line, where Ukraine is short-handed and needs more military support from its Western partners.

Uncertainty about U.S. policy on the war has fueled doubts about how much help Kyiv can count on. Zelenskyy had been set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit Tuesday to press him for more help. But Trump returned early to Washington on Monday night because of tensions in the Middle East.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denied that Trump’s refusal to back new sanctions on Russia or provide U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine makes it all but impossible to compel the Kremlin to accept a ceasefire.

The U.K announced new sanctions Tuesday on Russia’s defense industry and its oil-carrying “shadow fleet” of about 500 ships of uncertain ownership that allowed Moscow to dodge sanctions. The announcement coincided with Zelenskyy’s arrival as a guest at the G7 summit.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also announced new sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet and energy revenues, as well an additional $2 billion Canadian ($1.4 billion U.S.) in new funding for Kyiv for drones, ammunition and armored vehicles. He called the latest attack “barbarism by Russia” that underscores the importance of standing in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.