Russia Launches Devastating Strike On Ukraine Killing Civilians And Hitting Schools

Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, killing at least two civilians, including a 12-year-old child, and injuring 15 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which struck just hours before NATO officials were set to meet to discuss President Donald Trump’s new weapons plan for Ukraine, left widespread destruction in multiple cities.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Moscow fired approximately 450 missiles and drones across the country, targeting both civilian infrastructure and strategic locations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed damage in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk, with additional drone interceptions over Sumy, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and other regions.

“Russian strikes are always an assault on humanity in Kyiv, a kindergarten caught fire, along with residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure,” Zelensky posted on X. He added that apartment blocks and a subway entrance were also hit, sparking fires and trapping civilians. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors.

Key details on the assault:

• A 12-year-old child was among those killed.

• A kindergarten in Kyiv caught fire, reportedly from falling debris or a direct missile hit.

• Dozens of residential buildings were destroyed or damaged in Kharkiv and other regions.

• Emergency crews continue to respond to fires and structural collapses across affected cities.

Zelensky thanked international partners for supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts. “Only real pressure on Russia can stop this aggression,” he said, calling for stronger sanctions and expanded weapons production to counter the ongoing assault.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates that Ukraine has suffered 60,000 to 100,000 military deaths since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. The Kremlin, meanwhile, has relied on prison recruits, foreign fighters, and massive logistical support from Iran, North Korea, and China to sustain its campaign. A CSIS study revealed that between late 2022 and September 2024, Russia launched 11,466 missiles, with peak attacks exceeding 82 launches in a single day.

This latest barrage is a stark reminder of Moscow’s relentless strategy to terrorize Ukraine’s civilian population while testing Western resolve. As NATO leaders prepare to review Trump’s proposed defense initiatives, the pressure to deliver advanced weaponry and air defense systems to Kyiv is mounting.

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