Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills Nine: Zelensky Halts South Africa Visit
A prolonged Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv killed nine people and injured over 70, marking the deadliest strike on Ukraine’s capital since July.
The 11-hour barrage targeted Kyiv and four other regions, deploying 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four air-to-surface missiles, and 145 drones.
Rescue teams navigated rubble-strewn neighborhoods as fires engulfed residential areas.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko designated Friday as a day of mourning. “It’s very scary,” said Oksana Bilozir, a student wounded in the attack. “I only believe that if we can stop them on the battlefield, then that’s it. No diplomacy works here.”
Zelensky Rushes Back Amid Peace Talks Stalemate
President Volodymyr Zelensky, in South Africa to bolster diplomatic ties, cut short his visit after meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa to return to Kyiv.
The assault, which he called “one of (Russia’s) most outrageous,” disrupted his historic trip — the first by a Ukrainian leader to South Africa in 33 years.
Zelensky stated that the future of negotiations “depends on Russia’s intention because it is in Moscow where they have to make a decision.”
The attack followed stalled peace talks and U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of Zelensky for rejecting concessions over Crimea.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the strike revealed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resolve to “continue the war,” warning, “Weakness and concessions will not stop his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will.”
South Africa’s Diplomatic Tightrope
Ramaphosa, reaffirming ties with Ukraine, emphasized joint peace efforts, stating, “We further committed to working together towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”
The visit, critical amid tense U.S. relations under Trump, aimed to enhance South Africa’s peacemaking role and trade prospects.
Yet, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attack, saying, “This isn’t a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it.”
Kyiv’s Residents Endure Trauma
With 42 hospitalized, Kyiv residents sought refuge in shelters.
Anastasiia Zhuravlova, a mother of two, recounted fleeing to a basement after blasts shattered her home.
The U.N. decried the strike as “yet another appalling violation of international humanitarian law,” demanding an end to civilian attacks.