Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the Ukrainian capital was under missile attack on Sunday, with explosions occurring across the city, just two days after a Russian missile strike killed 18 people, including nine children, in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rig.
Klitschko confirmed that paramedics were deployed to two districts in Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force reported missiles entering the northern Chernihiv region.
“Explosions in the capital. Air defence is in operation,” Klitschko stated, urging residents to seek shelter.
He later reported three injuries and wreckage falling on non-residential sites. Air raid alerts were also issued for other regions of Ukraine.
These attacks come amidst US President Donald Trump’s push for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and his efforts to improve relations with the Kremlin.
On Saturday, Zelensky publicly criticised the US embassy’s response to the Kryvyi Rig missile strike, deeming it “weak” and failing to blame Russia directly. He emphasised the loss of children and the targeting of a residential area near a playground.
The Ukrainian president directly addressed US Ambassador Bridget Brink, who had posted a message on social media condemning the attack but without naming Russia as the perpetrator.
He accused the US of being “afraid to say the word ‘Russian'” and urged them to “call a spade a spade.”
Zelensky argued that avoiding direct blame for Russia only emboldens Moscow and undermines diplomatic efforts. He also highlighted the ages of the children killed, ranging from three to 17.
Local officials in Kryvyi Rig declared three days of mourning, and Zelensky described the attack as “mass murder of civilians.”
Russia’s defence ministry claimed the strike targeted a meeting of Ukrainian commanders and “Western instructors,” while Ukraine accused Russia of spreading misinformation and committing “war crimes.”
Trump’s administration is pushing for a ceasefire, but negotiations have yet to yield an agreement acceptable to both sides.
Zelensky recently met with British and French military leaders to discuss a potential “reassurance” force for Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. He described “tangible progress” in these discussions, noting agreed-upon “first details” for deploying a security contingent.
This reflects ongoing efforts by European leaders to coordinate their response to the conflict, especially following Trump’s direct engagement with the Kremlin.
