Overview
- Ukraine reported Russia launched 598 drones and 31 missiles overnight, with air defenses neutralizing most of them and acknowledging direct hits across the capital.
- Authorities said the strikes killed at least 23 people, including four children, and injured dozens as residential buildings, a mall and a preschool were damaged.
- EU and UK officials condemned the attack, summoned Russian envoys and cited damage to the EU delegation in Kyiv as a breach of diplomatic protections under the Vienna Convention.
- Moscow said it targeted military‑industrial facilities and airbases with high‑precision weapons, rejected accusations of deliberate attacks on civilians and claimed all designated targets were hit.
- European defense ministers moved to intensify military support and advance tougher sanctions, while U.S. officials warned the assault threatens ongoing mediation efforts and leader‑level talks remain stalled.