KYIV, Ukraine — A significant air assault by Russia targeted Kyiv early Thursday, resulting in at least 18 fatalities, including four children, and injuring 48 others. The attack, which involved a combination of missiles and drones, marked a rare strike on the city center and was the first major assault on Kyiv in several weeks. Authorities reported damage to European Union diplomatic offices amid ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts that have struggled to make progress.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s city administration, confirmed the casualties and noted that the numbers could rise. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 598 drones and 31 missiles, with most of the strikes concentrated in Kyiv. At least 33 locations across the city were hit, causing extensive damage to nearly 100 buildings, including a shopping mall.

Eyewitnesses described the chaos following the strikes. Oleksandr Khilko, who rushed to the scene after a missile struck a residential building, recounted hearing screams from trapped individuals. "It’s inhuman, striking civilians," he said, expressing his desire for the war to end. Another resident, Sophia Akylina, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the attack, stating, "It’s never happened before that they attacked so close."

In response to the strikes, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen reported that two missiles landed dangerously close to the EU Mission to Ukraine, although no staff were injured. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, announced that the Russian envoy would be summoned to Brussels. The British Council also reported severe damage to its Kyiv office, which will remain closed until further notice.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin was undermining peace efforts. The Russian ambassador to London was summoned for discussions following the strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russia's actions, stating, "Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table." He called for a global response to the violence and urged nations to impose tougher sanctions on Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized that the world must hold Russia accountable for its actions.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted military facilities within Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. They asserted that all designated targets were hit. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reported that they had shot down 102 Russian drones overnight.

The attack comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict, with Western leaders accusing Putin of avoiding serious negotiations. Ukrainian military officials acknowledged that Russian forces have made advances into new regions of Ukraine.

As the situation continues to evolve, Ukraine's national railway operator reported damage to infrastructure in the Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions, leading to delays and rerouted trains. The conflict, which has persisted for over three years, shows no signs of abating.