Russia strikes kill 22 in Kyiv

1/ Russian forces launched a massive aerial assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight into Tuesday, killing at least 22 civilians and wounding 138 others, Ukrainian officials reported. The attack involved drones and missiles targeting residential areas and infrastructure. In Kyiv, a missile strike caused a building collapse, trapping residents. Fires broke out across the capital, with emergency services pulling survivors from rubble. 2/ Which cities were hit? Kyiv bore the brunt, but strikes also reached Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and smaller towns. Ukraine's air force said Russia fired over 100 drones and 50 missiles in waves starting late Monday. Air defenses downed 80% of projectiles, but breakthroughs caused the casualties. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on Telegram: "Russia's massive strike proves they don't want peace." 3/ What did Moscow say? The Kremlin called the operation retaliation for Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russian targets, including drone strikes on airfields. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov framed it as a response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and military sites. He accused Ukraine of escalating first. This fits Moscow's narrative of a "new paradigm" in the war, where Russia shifts to deeper strikes amid stalled talks. 4/ Casualty breakdown? Kyiv reported 17 deaths, including children, with 100+ wounded. Kharkiv added 4 killed. Odesa saw 1 death and dozens hurt. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, said: "These are deliberate hits on civilians—Russia's terror continues." Rescue operations lasted into Tuesday morning, with 20+ buildings damaged in Kyiv alone. 5/ Weapons used? Russia deployed Shahed drones from Crimea and the north, plus Iskander and Kinzhal missiles. Ukrainian defenses intercepted most but not all. The assault lasted 8 hours, one of the largest since March. Power outages hit 500,000 in Kyiv due to grid strikes. Zelenskyy urged Western allies for more air defense systems like Patriots. 6/ Diplomatic context? Strikes came days after Putin rejected U.S. peace proposals and as Trump reportedly asked China's Xi Jinping to pressure Moscow. Kremlin rhetoric hardened, with Putin telling state TV the war enters a "different stage." BBC reports some Russian elites quietly worry about war costs, but public discourse stays loyal. Critics, including EU diplomats, say escalation shrinks peace windows. 7/ Recent pattern? Russia has ramped up attacks since May, hitting energy and civilian sites. Ukraine claims 1,000+ drones fired weekly. This assault follows Ukrainian incursions into Russia's Kursk region. Casualties total 500+ civilians in similar strikes this year, per UN data. Zelenskyy plans a Wednesday call with NATO leaders on defenses. 8/ What's next? Ukraine seeks F-16 jets and longer-range missiles. Russia vows more strikes if Kyiv continues "terrorism." Rescue teams in Kyiv expect final death toll by Wednesday evening.