At least 12 people, including a two-year-old child, were killed in Kyiv in the early hours today after Russia launched a mass drone and missile attack, Ukrainian authorities said.
This is the first major attack by Moscow on war-hit Ukraine's capital since Vladimir Putin met with US president Donald Trump in Alaska, though the Russian leader has since stalled any efforts to kickstart peace talks.
Local authorities said the strikes on Kyiv hit at least 20 locations across seven districts and at least 38 people were injured, with the death toll likely to rise.
Russia used a combination of decoy drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's city administration.
The attack comes hours after the Kremlin said it would not accept any presence of Nato troops on Ukrainian territory as part of European proposals for security guarantees.
The US is reportedly prepared to support Ukraine's post-war security with intelligence assets and as part of a European-led air defence shield, according to the Financial Times.
Key Points
- Two-year-old child among 12 killed in deadly strikes, authorities say
- Kremlin rejects Nato troops in Ukraine
- Zelensky speaks to newly appointed US ambassador to underline tasks
- Fire erupts at southern Russian oil refinery after Ukrainian drone attack
- Moscow strikes EU delegation building
Two-year-old child among 12 killed in deadly strikes, authorities say
08:38
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
A two-year-old was among three children killed in Russia’s overnight strikes in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian authorities.
At least 12 people have been confirmed to have died following the deadly night of attacks, including three children aged 2, 14, and 17, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's city administration. The numbers are expected to rise.
European Council President 'horrified' by overnight attacks after EU building damaged
08:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
President of the European Council António Costa said he has been left “horrified” by the drone and missile strikes in Kyiv.
In a post on X, he wrote that the EU building in Ukraine was damaged during the attacks.
“Horrified by yet another night of deadly Russian missile attacks on Ukraine,” he wrote.
“My thoughts are with the Ukrainian victims and also with the staff of @EUDelegationUA, whose building was damaged in this deliberate Russian strike.
“The EU will not be intimidated. Russia’s aggression only strengthens our resolve to stand with Ukraine and its people.”
Horrified by yet another night of deadly Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) August 28, 2025
My thoughts are with the Ukrainian victims and also with the staff of @EUDelegationUA, whose building was damaged in this deliberate Russian strike.
The EU will not be intimidated. Russia’s aggression… pic.twitter.com/SZNeN31IOo
Death toll hits 10, authorities say
07:54
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ten people are now believed to have been killed in Russia’s overnight attack on Kyiv, according to authorities.
The toll is believed to include two children.
Two children killed in overnight attack, authorities say
07:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Two children are now believed to have died in the overnight attack, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
Authorities now say the strike killed at least eight people and wounded 45.
Zelensky hits out at Putin for killing children, asks China and Hungary to react
07:04
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia’s president Putin of taking advantage of some countries looking away from the conflict to continue bombing Ukraine and killing children.
“We expect a reaction from China to what is going on. China has repeatedly called for not expanding the war and for a ceasefire. Yet this is not happening because of Russia. We expect a reaction from Hungary,” he said on X this morning after a massive attack on Kyiv killed eight.
“The death of children should definitely stir far greater emotions than anything else. 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,” he said.
He also said Russia has broken all deadlines and ruined dozens of opportunities for diplomacy.
“Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this war,” Zelensky said.
At least 30 people injured in the attack have been hospitalised, local authorities said.
Zelensky says eight killed in overnight attack
06:32
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed at least eight people, including a child, have died in the overnight Russian attack on Kyiv.
“Another massive attack against our cities and communities. Killings again. Tragically, at least 8 people have already been confirmed dead. One of them is a child,” said on X.
Zelensky said Russia is choosing ballistic missiles to hit Kyiv, instead of coming to the negotiating table.
“People may still be trapped under the rubble. Dozens are wounded. These Russian missiles and attack drones today are a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy. Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” he said.
Right now in Kyiv, first responders are clearing the rubble of an ordinary residential building after a Russian strike. Another massive attack against our cities and communities. Killings again. Tragically, at least 8 people have already been confirmed dead. One of them is a… pic.twitter.com/aukkujC9ji
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 28, 2025
Fire erupts at southern Russian oil refinery after Ukrainian drone attack
06:26
,
Arpan Rai
A fire broke out at a unit of the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia's southern Krasnodar region after a Ukrainian drone attack, local authorities said today.
It was not immediately clear what the extent of the damage was at the refinery.
The oil facility, together with the Krasnodar refinery, according to industry sources, processed 7.2 million metric tons of crude oil in 2024 and 3 million tons in January-June 2025.
In photos: Russia launches devastating overnight attack on Ukraine's capital
06:19
,
Arpan Rai
Death toll rises to four in massive Russian attack on Kyiv
05:45
,
Arpan Rai
The death toll in a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv has risen to four, local officials said.
Among the dead were two children, interior minister Ihor Klymenko said, citing preliminary information. The numbers are expected to rise. Rescue teams were on site to pull people trapped underneath the rubble.
Thursday's attack is the first major combined Russian mass drone and missile attack to strike Kyiv since US president Donald Trump met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this month to discuss ending the three-year war in Ukraine.
The Kyiv city administration’s head Tymur Tkachenko said Russia launched decoy drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles in this attack, hitting at least 20 locations across seven districts of Kyiv.
Nearly 100 buildings were damaged, including a shopping mall in the city centre, and thousands of windows were shattered, he said.
A five-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district was hit directly. "Everything is destroyed," Tkachenko said. A strike in central Kyiv left a major road strewn with shattered glass.
Russia being ‘disrespectful’ to Ukraine peace process, Downing Street says
05:30
,
Tara Cobham
Russia has been accused of being “disrespectful” to the peace process in its war with Ukraine, with the Government saying it is dragging its feet over talks.
Downing Street said Vladimir Putin was blatantly stalling progress, less than a fortnight since the Russian president met with US President Donald Trump in Alaska.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with European leaders, met Mr Trump in Washington days after the Alaska meeting to get an update on the talks.
Read more here:
Recap: Vance boasts Trump’s ‘energetic diplomacy’ will end Ukraine war
05:00
,
Tara Cobham
Vice President JD Vance has touted his boss’s “energetic diplomacy” with Russia, and insisted that the Trump administration would bring the three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia to an end.
But as his remarks aired on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Russia’s top diplomat was making that prospect look unlikely — while walking back progress made between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and a host of European leaders in a whirlwind series of meetings over the past two weeks.
Vance told NBC’s Kristen Welker, in a pre-taped interview, that both sides had signaled their openness to accepting “significant concessions” in recent days, and said that the president was open to increasing pressure if one side was seen as an obstacle to peace.
My colleague John Bowden reports:
Zelensky speaks to newly appointed US ambassador to underline tasks
04:57
,
Arpan Rai
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to Ukraine’s newly appointed ambassador to the US.
“I just spoke with Olha Stefanishyna – now Ukraine’s new Ambassador to the United States. The formal procedures are complete – today I signed the decree appointing the ambassador,” Zelensky said on X.
“I outlined the key tasks for reinvigorating the work of our Embassy, and the main thing is to fully implement the agreements reached in Washington, our agreements with President Trump, above all in the defence sphere. Much of Ukraine’s long-term security depends on relations with America,” the Ukrainian president said.
He said that there are two “strong” Ukrainian proposals at the moment. “An agreement on weapons for Ukraine, and an agreement on modern drones for the United States. We count on swift progress in our relations,” he said.
I just spoke with Olha Stefanishyna – now Ukraine’s new Ambassador to the United States. The formal procedures are complete – today I signed the decree appointing the ambassador. I outlined the key tasks for reinvigorating the work of our Embassy, and the main thing is to fully… pic.twitter.com/K6BWG3WOoa
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 27, 2025
Watch: Russia strikes key Ukraine energy facility in large-scale drone attack
04:48
,
Arpan Rai
Ukrainian officials discuss peace options in Riyadh
04:29
,
Arpan Rai
The Ukrainian president's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, was in Riyadh yesterday along with security council chief Rustem Umerov.
Yermak said the talks in Riyadh focused on paths to peace in Ukraine, and Saudi Arabia's participation in this process.
The senior Ukrainian officials met the Saudi defence minister and national security adviser, Yermak said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking later in his nightly video address, said the delegation would hold talks today in Switzerland. They will then go on to New York tomorrow for talks with US officials.
Earlier this week, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said that he would meet representatives from Ukraine in New York while saying that Washington continues to talk with Russia.
Zelensky said on Tuesday that Turkey, the Gulf states or European countries could host talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Day two. Riyadh.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) August 27, 2025
Together with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine @rustem_umerov, we met with the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince @kbsalsaud.
The main topics of our conversation were the pathways to… pic.twitter.com/Dsj6X1OFHt
Woman who fled Ukraine to escape war stabbed to death in North Carolina train station
04:15
,
Arpan Rai
A young Ukrainian woman who fled her war-torn home in search of safety in the United States was stabbed to death at a North Carolina train station last week, according to a fundraiser set up by her loved ones.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, was left with multiple stab wounds from the attack, which unfolded just before 10pm at the East/West Boulevard light rail station in South End, Charlotte, on Friday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.
Zarutska had “recently arrived in the United States, seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning,” according to a GoFundMe set up to support her family.
Isabel Keane reports from New York:
Two children among three dead in Russian attack on Kyiv
04:02
,
Arpan Rai
At least three people have been killed, including two children, in a wave of overnight Russian strikes targeting Kyiv, officials said in the early hours today.
At least 12 others were injured, they said.The city's military administration put the death toll at three, with strikes recorded in widely separated districts of the city.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two children were also among the injured.
Officials provided a long list of buildings that had suffered damage, including several high-rise apartment blocks.
Photos posted online showed apartments ablaze and smoke billowing from buildings. The images could not immediately be verified.
Klitschko said two high-rise apartment buildings had been damaged in eastern suburbs of the city.
Recap: Ukraine unveils devastating new ‘Flamingo’ cruise missile that can strike deep inside Russia
04:00
,
Tara Cobham
Zelensky names Olha Stefanishyna new US ambassador
03:00
,
Tara Cobham
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Wednesday appointing Olha Stefanishyna, a former top cabinet minister, as Ukraine's ambassador to the United States.
Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said he had signed a decree on the appointment of Stefanishyna, 39, after formalities had been completed.
"I outlined the key tasks for reinvigorating the work of our embassy," he said.
She takes over as ambassador from Oksana Markarova, who held the position for six years, including more than three years of full-scale war with Russia.
Zelensky singled out two agreements as critical -- on providing weapons for Ukraine and on supplying drones to the United States.
"The main thing is to fully implement all the agreements reached in Washington, our agreements with President [Donald] Trump, above all in the defence sphere...Much of Ukraine’s long-term security depends on relations with America."
Stefanishyna had served in Zelensky's administration as a deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, playing a major role in the country's integration into Western institutions, and as minister of justice.
German jets scrambled to intercept 'Russian spy plane' over Baltic Sea - report
02:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Two German air force Eurofighter jets scrambled to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday according to German outlet Deutsche Welle.
NATO's air command gave the order to intercept the aircraft, which was flying in international airspace with its transponders turned off and without submitting a flight plan.
Moscow is suspected of using such aircraft to gather information about NATO military activity on the Baltic coast, particularly in Poland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
Poland has had to scramble jets numerous times along its borders throughout the war.
Pictures: aftermath of Russian drone attack in Sumy region
01:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Watch: Russia strikes key Ukraine energy facility in large-scale drone attack
Thursday 28 August 2025 00:01
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukraine confident Poland will keep funding Starlink at the front
Wednesday 27 August 2025 23:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukraine's deputy prime minister said he was confident of a solution to continue Poland's funding of 30,000 Starlink internet systems for Ukraine, after Poland said it might no longer be able to pay for them following a presidential veto.
Poland is the biggest donor of SpaceX's satellite internet devices to Ukraine. Kyiv uses tens of thousands of them across the frontline as a crucial communication tool resistant to hacking and jamming.
Mykhailo Fedorov, who is also Ukraine's digitalisation minister, told Reuters in an interview that while Ukraine also had other satellite communication systems, none could match the scale and cost of Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's rocket company.
"We are communicating with our colleagues and I'm sure that all will be well, that we will find a solution to continue supporting this project," he said.
Senior Ukrainian officials visit Riyadh to discuss peace options
Wednesday 27 August 2025 22:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
The Ukrainian president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak has said that he was in Riyadh along with security council chief Rustem Umerov to discuss paths to peace in Ukraine, and Saudi Arabia's participation in this process.
Yermak wrote on the Telegram app that they held meetings with the Saudi defence minister and national security adviser.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Turkey, the Gulf States or European countries could host talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Recap: Ukrainians in UK fear war will never end after Trump-Zelensky meeting
Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Pictures: Russia's Belgorod cover buildings in net to protect from Ukrainian drones
Wednesday 27 August 2025 20:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukraine's sees 'priceless' digital battlefield data trove as key to West's support
Wednesday 27 August 2025 19:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukraine is looking at how to share battlefield data with allies, the country's deputy prime minister said, calling the vast trove of stored information one of Kyiv's "cards" to strengthen its position as it negotiates support from friendly countries.
"The data we have is priceless for any country," Mykhailo Fedorov, who heads Ukraine's digitalisation ministry, told Reuters in an interview, adding that Ukraine is currently "very careful" about sharing it.
Vast datasets are crucial for training artificial intelligence (AI) models to recognise patterns and make predictions.
That need is particularly pressing in the burgeoning global defence sector. While datasets for most civilian activities can be found commercially, the 21st century's biggest war between advanced armies has given Ukraine a set of combat data with no parallel, which could help Kyiv prove its value as an ally to Washington.
UK energy bills rise as wholesale gas prices remain 75% above pre-Russian invasion levels
Wednesday 27 August 2025 18:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Woody Allen responds after Ukraine slams director for appearing at Russian film festival: ‘Disgrace and insult’
Wednesday 27 August 2025 17:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Russia slashes 2025 economic growth forecast to 1.5% from 2.5%
Wednesday 27 August 2025 16:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russia sees 2025 economic growth at 1.5%, one percentage point lower than the earlier official forecast, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at a Kremlin meeting on Wednesday.
Russia's economy grew robustly over 2023 and 2024 despite multiple rounds of Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but is slowing sharply this year.
Domestic activity has become strained by labour shortages and high interest rates introduced to tackle inflation, which has accelerated under record military spending.
Explained: How Norway's upcoming election is linked to Ukraine?
Wednesday 27 August 2025 16:00
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Steffie Banatvala
Norway’s September election could impact Europe’s energy amid the Ukraine war.
The country is Europe's top gas supplier, replacing Gazprom after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Its role is set to grow as the European Union plans to phase out use of Russian gas by 2027, but exploiting new oil and gas reserves is critical to slowing down an expected production decline.
The election could decide whether Norway opens new areas for exploration, or if oil companies will remain restricted to existing ones, depending on the influence wielded by the Greens, Liberals and other small parties.
More radical proposals to stop exploration completely are unlikely to gather sufficient support.
Watch: Russia strikes key Ukraine energy facility in large-scale drone attack
Wednesday 27 August 2025 15:30
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine launches tender for lithium deposit site in Kirovohrad region, PM says
Wednesday 27 August 2025 15:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine has launched a tender for the right to mine a lithium deposit site in its central Kirovohrad region, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday.
The tender for the "Dobra" site is expected to be the first project in a joint investment fund with the United States that was signed in April as part of Kyiv's efforts to keep Washington onside in its war against invading Russian forces.
The deal, heavily promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump, gives the U.S. preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and fund investment in Ukraine's reconstruction.
"The site contains significant reserves of lithium, which is of strategic importance for energy and technology," Svyrydenko wrote on the Telegram app.
"We are looking for an investor who will ensure not only extraction, but also the development of value-added production in Ukraine."
She said an official announcement would be published in the next two months, followed by three months of accepting bids, and then a decision to determine the winner.
Pictures: aftermath of Russian drone attack in Sumy region
Wednesday 27 August 2025 14:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukraine says Russian move to quit treaty against torture is 'admission of guilt'
Wednesday 27 August 2025 14:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine criticised Russia on Wednesday for setting out plans to withdraw from the Council of Europe's treaty for the prevention of torture, saying the proposal was a tacit admission of guilt by Moscow.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of war crimes and torturing civilians and prisoners of war since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Russia denies the allegations.
According to a Russian government website, the government announced plans on Monday to quit the Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which was signed by Moscow in 1996.
"This step is effectively an admission of guilt - of systematic torture and an attempt to evade responsibility for gross human rights violations," Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Moscow's decision would need to be approved by President Vladimir Putin and passed in a vote in parliament before it comes into force, the website said.
In March, a United Nations Commission said that Russia's "widespread and systematic" use of enforced disappearances and torture of Ukrainians during its war in Ukraine amounted to crimes against humanity.
The Netherlands and 40 other OSCE member states have also called for an independent investigation into allegations of torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces.
German jets reportedly scrambled to intercept Russian spy plane over the Baltic
Wednesday 27 August 2025 13:30
,
Bryony Gooch
Intelligence source claims explosion hit key Russian oil pipeline supplying military
Wednesday 27 August 2025 13:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
A source in Ukraine's military intelligence has said a ‘powerful explosion’ erupted near Ryazan city in western Russia, damaging an oil pipeline supplying Moscow.
The source told the Kyiv Independent that the pipeline helps supply fuel to the Russian military.
Consequentially, “the transportation of petroleum products to Moscow (through the pipeline) has been suspended indefinitely," the source said.
Kremlin rejects NATO troops in Ukraine
Wednesday 27 August 2025 12:38
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Steffie Banatvala
The Kremlin called US peace efforts in Ukraine "very important" but rejected European security guarantee proposals and NATO troop deployments, in its daily briefing.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said high-level talks must be well-prepared and claimed Russian strikes target only military-linked sites, despite reports of targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.