‘Egregious’: Russia’s attack on Ukraine receives backlash- Here’s what nations said

Russia launched a serious air attack early Thursday on Kyiv, together with a uncommon strike on town centre, that killed no less than 18 individuals and injured 48 others, sparking backlash from completely different international locations. In the Ukraine attack, Russian missiles additionally broken European Union diplomatic workplaces, authorities said. The bombardment, involving drones and missiles, marked the primary vital Russian assault on Kyiv in weeks as US-led peace efforts to finish the three-year struggle struggled to realize traction. Ukraine on Thursday requested an emergency assembly of the UN Security Council to debate the in a single day bombardment, whereas two of Ukraine’s high envoys have been set to satisfy Friday with the Trump administration relating to mediation.After the attack, Russia insisted it was “still interested” in diplomacy, however would proceed to launch strikes on Ukraine following an in a single day attack on Kyiv that killed no less than 14 individuals.“The Russian armed forces are fulfilling their tasks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters in response to a query by AFP. “They continue to strike military and military-adjacent infrastructure facilities.“At the identical time, Russia stays fascinated with persevering with the negotiation course of. The purpose is to attain our objectives by political and diplomatic means,” he added.

‘Egregious’ Russian strikes threaten Trump peace plans: White House

Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine slammed Russian strikes on Kyiv, saying they threatened the US president’s proposals to end the Ukraine war.Keith Kellogg, on X, said that the targets were not soldiers and weapons but residential areas in Kyiv—blasting civilian trains, the EU & British mission council offices, and innocent civilians.“Last evening Russia launched the second largest aerial attack of the struggle with 600 drones and 31 missiles. The targets? Not troopers and weapons however residential areas in Kyiv—blasting civilian trains, the EU & British mission council workplaces, and harmless civilians. These egregious assaults threaten the peace that @POTUS is pursuing,” he said.

Russia showed its true face: German chancellor

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that “Russia confirmed its true face” in its latest overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital KyivIn a post on X, Merz said that he condemned the severe attacks against the civilian population in the strongest terms.“Russia confirmed its true face once more final evening. We condemn the extreme assaults towards the civilian inhabitants within the strongest phrases. The indisputable fact that the EU illustration has now additionally come below hearth testifies to the rising ruthlessness of the Russian regime,” Merz said.

EU and UK summon Rssian envoys after strikes hit their buildings

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen reported that two strikes landed 20 seconds apart approximately 50 metres from the EU Mission to Ukraine building in Kyiv. She confirmed that no staff were injured in the attack.“No diplomatic mission should ever be a target. In response, we are summoning the Russian envoy in Brussels,” Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, stated on X. The British Council, which promotes cultural relations and educational opportunities, also announced that its Kyiv office had been “severely damaged” in the attack and was closed to visitors until further notice. The organisation shared a photo showing the building with its windows and entrance smashed open, surrounded by glass and debris. A guard was injured and is “shaken but stable,” council chief executive Scott McDonald posted on X. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “sabotaging” hopes for peace following the “senseless” strikes. The Russian ambassador to London was summoned to the foreign office.

Diplomatic efforts to reach peace have stalled

Thursday’s attack is the first major combined Russian mass drone and missile assault on Kyiv since U.S. President Donald Trump met with Putin in Alaska earlier this month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X following the attack. “We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions.” While a diplomatic push to end the war appeared to gain momentum shortly after that meeting, few details have emerged about the next steps. Western leaders have accused Putin of stalling peace efforts and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian troops advance deeper into Ukraine.This week, Ukrainian military leaders acknowledged that Russian forces have entered an eighth region of Ukraine in an effort to capture more territory. Zelenskyy expressed hope for stricter U.S. sanctions to cripple the Russian economy if Putin does not demonstrate sincerity in ending the war. He reiterated these demands following Thursday’s attack. Trump expressed frustration this week at Putin’s delays regarding an American proposal for direct peace talks with Zelenskyy. On Friday, Trump stated he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks are not arranged.

Russia says it targeted ‘military-industrial complex’

Russia’s Defence Ministry announced that it conducted a strike against military air bases and companies “within Ukraine’s military-industrial complex” using long-range weapons, including Kinzhal missiles. “All designated objects were hit,” the ministry stated. Ukraine has increased domestic arms production to counter Russia’s invasion. Many weapons factories operate covertly, with some embedded in civilian areas equipped with advanced air defences. Indiscriminate Russian attacks, purportedly targeting Ukraine’s defence industry, have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. The Russian Defence Ministry also reported shooting down 102 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily in the country’s southwest. A drone attack ignited a fire at the Afipsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, local officials said, while a second blaze was reported at the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in the Samara region. In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted refineries and other oil infrastructure in an effort to weaken Russia’s war economy, leading to gas shortages and price increases in some Russian regions. Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported damage to its infrastructure in the Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions, causing delays and necessitating the use of alternative routes for trains.