• Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv have killed at least 28 people.
• The attacks targeted 27 locations, destroying residential buildings and injuring numerous civilians.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky described the assault as "one of the most horrific attacks" since the war began.

In a significant escalation of violence, Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv overnight, resulting in at least 28 deaths and over 150 injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, described by President Volodymyr Zelensky as "one of the most horrific attacks," involved more than 440 drones and 32 missiles, targeting residential areas and critical infrastructure across the city. Emergency workers continue to search for survivors amidst the rubble of damaged buildings, with reports of entire sections of apartment blocks being destroyed, as cited by Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

According to the Interior Minister Igor Klymenko, the assault hit 27 locations throughout the capital, causing significant destruction to both residential buildings and educational institutions. In addition to the casualties in Kyiv, at least one person was reported dead and others injured in strikes on the southern port city of Odesa. Fires broke out as a result of falling debris from intercepting drones, which resulted in further casualties, as reported by CBS News and India Times.

As global leaders met at the Group of Seven summit in Canada, the timing of the attacks raised concerns about Russia's intentions, noted Ukrainian officials. Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for the international community to recognize these strikes as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. He lamented the lack of progress in peace negotiations, which have seen little success in ceasing hostilities since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. Estimates suggest civilian casualties have grown significantly with ongoing military operations, affirming calls for international intervention, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced an official day of mourning amid public outrage and grief over the attack's impact, particularly the loss of a 62-year-old US citizen who died during the strikes. Community members are gathering to honor those lost and support ongoing rescue efforts, emphasized by Klymenko's statement on the need for increased humanitarian help amidst the continued warfare. The situation remains dire, as the potential for further attacks looms large, as indicated by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.