Russia Hit Kyiv: 27 Dead, Zelenskiy and Moscow Exchange Retaliatory Words

Ukraine's capital Kyiv was subjected to one of the war's most comprehensive attacks carried out by Russia forces during the process lasting from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, one of the bloodiest clashes in Europe since World War II. Moscow administration, following this large-scale attack targeting settlements and apartment blocks, saw tension rise with statements that the parties would further intensify the conflict. It was reported that at least 27 people lost their lives, 91 were injured, and many civilians took refuge in metro stations. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy cut his Dublin visit short and returned to his country, inspecting the damaged areas and giving clear messages that retaliation would be made. While harsh reactions came from the international community over these developments, the United Nations and the European Union emphasized that attacks on civilian targets violated international law.

Russia's attack with ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drone) caused great damage to Kyiv's infrastructure and civilian life and went down in history as one of the events with the highest death toll in the city. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Kliçko described this attack as the "enemy's biggest attack" on the capital, while local authorities announced the number of dead and injured through the city's military commander Tımur Tkaçenko. Due to the destruction of multi-story apartment buildings, those trapped under the rubble, and the streets being covered in smoke, chaos ensued in the city. The complete destruction of a critical depot affiliated with the Ukrainian Red Cross and the loss of humanitarian aid materials worth approximately 2 million dollars showed the deepening of the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the information that two more people were injured in the city of Kryvyi Rig as a result of a missile hitting a crowded area revealed that the attack spread over a wide geography.

Immediately after the attack, the Ukrainian leadership requested more air defense system support from its allies, specifically requesting a license for the local production of Patriot air defense missiles from the United States. Zelenskiy called on the Washington administration, drawing attention to the fact that shooting down ballistic missiles is impossible unless there are sufficient missiles in Patriot systems. Defense experts state that the process for Ukraine to produce these missile systems with local means will take time and may not offer an urgent solution in influencing the course of the war. These requests present a contrasting situation with the statements of US President Donald Trump, who wants to reach a peace agreement to end "senseless deaths" in Ukraine. In this context, the strategic decisions of the Western world regarding support packages and defense systems for Kyiv are of decisive importance for the course of the war.

During the attacks, while Kyiv residents flocked to metro stations and shelters, it was reported that more than 52 thousand people spent the night underground, 4,500 of whom were children. Some citizens speaking to AFP reporters stated that half of their houses were destroyed, they had to leave their belongings under the rubble, and they were uncertain about the future with their children. Parents, stating that their children had difficulty sleeping due to noise and darkness and were constantly on alert, expressed their physical and mental exhaustion. Civilians struggling for life in tents and air mattresses set up in metro stations expressed that it is impossible to lead a normal life due to constantly repeated sirens and explosion sounds. Images of children trying to sleep by being embraced by their mothers reveal the deep trauma of the war on the civilian population.

The Ukrainian army announced that Russia launched a total of 496 unmanned aerial vehicles and 74 missiles, and although they shot down most of them, some reached their targets, and reported that unmanned aerial vehicle attacks deep into Russian territory have increased in recent weeks. The Kremlin spokesman, stating that the attacks would continue and increase pressure on Kyiv, exhibited an uncompromising stance. The European Union's high-ranking diplomat Kaja Kallas strengthened the political reaction by announcing that new sanctions against Moscow were being prepared in response to this latest attack. Zelenskiy, on the other hand, emphasized that Russian leader Vladimir Putin carried out this major attack after a long preparation process and that Ukraine had the right to respond to this. While both parties to the conflict announced that they would not step back and would intensify military operations, hopes for peace in the region are becoming increasingly distant.