Deadly Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv for Second Night as Air Assault Intensifies

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia unleashed a second consecutive night of deadly airstrikes on Ukraine’s capital early Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring more than a dozen others. The wave of attacks marks a sharp escalation in Moscow’s aerial campaign more than three years into its full-scale war against Ukraine.

According to Kyiv officials, the overnight assault involved drones and cruise missiles that struck civilian infrastructure across the city. The renewed bombardment follows Russia’s record-breaking drone strike just 24 hours earlier.

Kyiv Rocked by Explosions, Widespread Damage

Massive explosions lit up the skies over Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday as CNN journalists on the ground recorded the fiery impacts and the dense smoke that blanketed parts of the city.

Local authorities reported damage to homes, cars, warehouses, office buildings, and a health clinic, which Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said was almost entirely destroyed.

The strikes created scenes of chaos across several districts, as emergency services responded to fires and debris. Several residential areas were left scorched and unrecognizable, city officials confirmed.

Surge in Russian Airstrikes Raises Global Concerns

Thursday’s strikes come on the heels of Russia’s most extensive drone attack since the invasion began in 2022. On Wednesday, Ukrainian defense officials reported Russia launched 728 drones and 13 missiles in a single night, killing at least one person and triggering widespread alarm.

The scale and frequency of recent attacks have escalated dramatically, with Moscow carrying out near-nightly assaults involving hundreds of drones and missiles. The intensifying bombardment has placed additional strain on Ukraine’s air defenses and reignited calls for urgent international support.

U.S. Response: Trump Blasts Putin, Promises More Weapons

Amid rising tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered unusually blunt remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

“We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin,” Trump said. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

While previous efforts toward a peace agreement have largely stalled, the Trump administration has reversed course by pledging to provide additional defensive weaponry to Ukraine, signaling renewed U.S. commitment to Kyiv’s defense.

The Kremlin responded dismissively to Trump’s remarks. “Trump tends to use a fairly tough style,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday, adding that Russia hopes to maintain dialogue with Washington.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the ASEAN summit in Malaysia on Thursday. The meeting could provide a rare opportunity for direct diplomatic engagement between the two powers.

Zelensky: “Russia Rejects Everything” on Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to Wednesday’s record-setting attacks, expressed frustration over Russia’s unwillingness to pursue peace.

“There have been so many attempts to achieve peace and a ceasefire, but Russia rejects everything,” Zelensky said in a national address.

His remarks echoed widespread sentiment in Kyiv that Moscow is intensifying military pressure while stonewalling any path to negotiation.

Europe’s Top Court Rules Russia Violated International Law

As the air assault continues, Russia was dealt a major legal blow this week. On Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Russia committed multiple violations of international law in Ukraine.

The ruling covered four cases tied to Russian military actions since the 2022 invasion and the broader conflict dating back to 2014 — including the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

The court concluded that Russia was directly responsible for a pattern of human rights abuses in occupied Ukrainian territories and confirmed its accountability for the MH17 disaster, which killed all 298 people aboard. Moscow has long denied involvement in the attack.

Outlook: Escalation Heightens Stakes for Global Response

The intensifying Russian strikes on Kyiv — now in their second night — have once again pushed Ukraine’s crisis into the global spotlight. With peace efforts stalled, military aid ramping up, and international courts issuing damning judgments, the war appears poised for yet another phase of escalation.

As Ukraine braces for further attacks, pressure is building on the international community to deliver stronger support and pursue new avenues for both defense and diplomacy.