Russia carried out a deadly wave of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on Tuesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more in Kyiv. This attack has become the deadliest in the capital since the war began in 2022.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the strike destroyed "an entire section of an apartment block". He also said that rescue workers were searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

I receive regular reports from Minister of Internal Affairs Klymenko and our military commanders on the aftermath of Russia’s massive strike. More than 440 drones and 32 missiles were used. Kyiv has faced one of the most horrific attacks. Also, overnight, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia,… pic.twitter.com/4ZMFBj8eJ2

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 17, 2025

Panic and Shelter in the Capital

As explosions rocked the city, residents rushed to metro stations for shelter. Many spent the night there, sleeping on mats and trying to stay informed about the ongoing threats. According to AFP journalists, some people were seen comforting their pets amid the chaos.

Ukrainian student Alina Shtompel, 20, described the horror, saying, "It was probably the most hellish night in my memory for our neighbourhood." She added, "It is indescribably painful that our people are going through this right now."

Strikes Hit 27 Locations in Kyiv

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed that 27 sites in Kyiv were hit. However, the attacks weren’t limited to the capital. In Odesa, another person died and 10 others were severely injured. Later in the day, Russian strikes on Sumy and Kherson regions claimed two more lives, officials said.

Zelenskyy Condemns Silence of Global Community

Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched 440 drones and 32 missiles in total during the day. He strongly urged the world not to stay silent, saying, "Russian President Vladimir Putin does this solely because he can afford to continue the war. He wants the war to go on."

Other Ukrainian officials echoed his frustration. Presidential aide Andriy Yermak posted, "This is how Russia fights – it kills civilians in ordinary homes, deliberately."

Yermak also criticized the global response, saying, "This is how autocracies fight…. A nuclear power can simply kill civilians in homes, refuse to cease fire, and not receive the necessary reaction from the civilised world. Why? And how many more of our people and children must die?"