 "A building struck by Russia's airstrikes in Ukrainian capital Kyiv's Darnytskyi region on Thursday, August 28, 2025. (Photo: X/Andrii Sybiha)")
In defiance of ongoing efforts to end the war, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 600 missiles and drones in the early hours of Thursday and killed over a dozen of civilians and struck the European Union (EU) mission in the capital Kyiv.
At least 14 civilians were killed and 38 were wounded in Russian attacks, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The Ukrainian military said that the Russian attack involved 598 drones overnight, including Iranian-origin Shahed drones, and 31 missiles, including 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles, nine Iskander-M or North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, and two Kh-47 Kinzhal ballistic missiles.
Katarina Mathernova, the EU’s envoy to Ukraine, confirmed in a statement on X that the EU mission was hit by a Russian strike’s shockwave.
Separately, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the Russian strikes violated the Vienna Convention — the treaty provides protection to diplomats and diplomatic missions in case of conflicts.
“During the night strike, Russia also targeted diplomats—in direct breach of the Vienna convention. The EU mission to Ukraine was damaged. This requires not only the EU’s, but worldwide condemnation. We express solidarity with our EU colleagues and are ready to provide assistance,” said Sybiha on X.
Separately, the British Council’s office was also struck in Kyiv and one person was injured in the attack.
The Russian bombardment came at a time when Ukraine and its European partners have been pressing for a direct meeting between Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of efforts to end the war. So far, Russia has rebuffed all offers for meetings or ceasefire and has continued to press its maximalist demands that range from surrender of entire Donbas to constitutional changes that would essentially shatter Ukrainian national identity.
Russia has also rejected any European peacekeeping force in Ukraine after any ceasefire or peace deal.
‘Russians are not choosing to end the war’
After overnight bombardment killed at least 14 people, Zelenskyy said that Russia was showing that it is “not choosing to end the war” but only new strikes.
Zelenskyy called these “a horrific and deliberate killing of civilians”.
Zelenskyy said that tougher sanctions are needed so that Russia could face consequences for its actions.
Separately, Sybiha showed the ruins of a site of Russian strikes to diplomats from 55 countries.
Sharing photographs from the site, Sybiha said, “It is critical that the world sees Russian terror and takes action to stop this barbarism. I thank all foreign diplomats who joined us today in commemorating the victims of Russian strikes. Russia is a terrorist state. We count on strong international responses and action to increase pressure on Russia, including new tough sanctions, and strengthen support for Ukraine.”
Ukrainian leaders were joined by European officials, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in condemning Russian strikes.