❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russian air strikes on Kiev, Ukraine, have hit the British Council building and the European Union (EU) delegation headquarters, killing at least 17 people and causing significant damage.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russian forces, Ukrainian residents and emergency workers, EU officials, and British Council personnel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have issued statements.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred early on Thursday morning in Kiev, Ukraine, targeting civilian and diplomatic sites.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end.” – Keir Starmer
🎯IMPACT: The attack has escalated tensions between Russia and the West and led to calls for stronger sanctions on Russia. The EU summoned Moscow’s envoy in Brussels.
Russia has carried out an allegedly “deliberate” missile attack on the British Council building and the European Union (EU) delegation headquarters in Kiev during a massive assault on the city. The strikes reportedly killed at least 17 people, including a 14-year-old girl, and caused extensive damage.
The British Council, partly funded by Britain’s Foreign Office, suffered severe damage from two missiles that struck within 20 seconds of each other. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the attack, accusing Moscow of “targeting the EU” and labeling it deliberate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attacks “horrific and deliberate killings of civilians,” pressing allies for tougher sanctions and a stronger stance against Russia. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the strikes as “senseless,” accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of undermining peace efforts.
Starmer declared, “Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end.” Britain’s Foreign Office—roughly equivalent to the U.S. State Department—also summoned the Russian ambassador in response.
The assault also hit residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, with Kiev’s military administration reporting the use of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as Iranian-designed Shahed drones. In one neighborhood, a five-story apartment building was split in half, and residents searched for loved ones as emergency services cleared debris.
The Kremlin says it remains open to talks but that military operations will continue for the time being. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, said, “The Russian armed forces are fulfilling their tasks. At the same time, Russia remains interested in continuing the negotiation process.”
Zelensky rejected these claims, stating, “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war.”
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