A Difficult Night in Ukraine: Massive Attack Hits European Union Headquarters

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine has witnessed fast-paced developments as Russia intensified its strikes on Kyiv, with missiles even damaging the headquarters of the European Union mission.

According to European Council President António Costa, the EU delegation building in Kyiv was damaged following a large-scale Russian air assault on the Ukrainian capital during the night from Wednesday to Thursday.

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In a statement on platform X, Costa condemned “another deadly night of Russian missile attacks on Ukraine,” expressing solidarity with “the Ukrainian victims” as well as with “the staff of the European Union delegation whose building was damaged by this deliberate strike.”

He stressed that the European Union “will not bow to intimidation” and that “Russian aggression will only strengthen our determination to stand by Ukraine and its people.”

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Shortly before, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that at least eight people were killed and dozens injured in the overnight strikes, including a child among the victims. He described the attack as a “clear response” from Moscow to those calling for a ceasefire and genuine diplomacy.

During the night, loud explosions rocked Kyiv. According to local authorities, a major ballistic missile strike hit at least three districts of the capital, sparking fires in a kindergarten and a residential building. An AFP correspondent witnessed a missile being intercepted, with burning debris falling over the city, while the buzzing of drones filled the skies.

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Outside Kyiv, the Ukrainian railway company reported a “massive assault” that caused power outages in the Vinnytsia region, leading to train delays.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 629 drones and missiles in a single night – 598 drones and 31 missiles, including two Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and nine ballistic missiles. This represents the second-largest attack in terms of volume since the start of the war.

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that has persisted since February 2022, hostilities continue on both sides. In recent months, the Russian army, which controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory in the east and south, has accelerated its advances against a Ukrainian military that is both outnumbered and under-equipped.

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