Russian Drone and Missile Attack Claims 15 Lives in Kyiv

Early on March 7, 2024, a coordinated drone and missile attack by Russia on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, resulted in at least 15 fatalities and left 48 individuals injured, according to local authorities. This marked the first significant assault on the city in several weeks, occurring as diplomatic efforts, led by the United States, struggled to make progress towards ending the ongoing conflict.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed a staggering 598 strike drones and decoys, along with 31 missiles of various types across the country, making it one of the most extensive air assaults of the war. Among the deceased were four children aged between 2 and 17, as detailed by Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s city administration. The casualty figures are expected to rise as rescue operations continue, with emergency teams working to free individuals trapped under rubble.

“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,”

stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a post on social media, urging international leaders who advocate for peace to take a firmer stance. He expressed frustration with the silence of many who have called for an end to hostilities.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed the strikes targeted military airbases and components of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex using advanced long-range weapons, including Kinzhal missiles. In their statement, the ministry asserted that all designated targets were successfully hit. Additionally, they reported the interception of 102 Ukrainian drones during the same period.

This attack also prompted retaliatory actions from Ukraine, which has recently intensified its own drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Reports have emerged of fires at the Afipsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region and a second blaze at the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in Samara, attributed to Ukrainian drone activity aimed at undermining Russia’s war economy.

Widespread Damage in Central Kyiv

During the assault, at least 20 locations in seven districts of Kyiv were struck, causing significant damage to nearly 100 buildings. Notably, a shopping mall in the city center was hit, resulting in shattered windows throughout the area. Tkachenko confirmed that Ukrainian forces managed to intercept and neutralize 563 drones and decoys as well as 26 missiles during the attack.

As residents surveyed the destruction, many expressed shock at the proximity of the violence. Sophia Akylina, a local resident, noted, “It’s never happened before that they attacked so close. Unfortunately, people are suffering, and negotiations haven’t yielded anything yet.”

The attack also caused damage to the European Union’s delegation building in Kyiv and the British Council, although staff were unharmed. EU President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the assault, calling for an immediate halt to indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. French officials, including President Emmanuel Macron, voiced similar sentiments, with Macron highlighting the severity of the attacks in a post, stating, “629 missiles and drones in one night on Ukraine: this is Russia’s desire for peace. Terror and barbarism.”

Human Toll of the Attack

The aftermath of the strikes left a five-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district in ruins. Smoke and the smell of burning materials filled the air as firefighters battled the fire. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to search for survivors, pulling bodies from the debris. As the situation unfolded, many residents gathered, anxiously awaiting news of missing loved ones.

At least ten people were reported missing by the afternoon, as confirmed by Ukraine’s Emergency Service. Local residents recounted their experiences, with Oleksandr Khilko sharing his harrowing story of rescuing survivors, including a young boy, from the rubble. “It’s inhuman, striking civilians,” he remarked, visibly shaken by the ordeal.

Additionally, Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported damage to infrastructure in both the Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions, leading to delays and rerouted train services. As efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution continue, the attack underscores the precarious state of negotiations.

This particularly devastating strike comes on the heels of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month in Alaska, aimed at discussing a potential end to the conflict. Despite initial optimism, little progress has been reported, with Western leaders accusing Putin of stalling negotiations while Russian forces expand their control within Ukraine.

In response to the ongoing violence, President Zelenskyy called for tougher sanctions against Russia, emphasizing the urgent need to cripple the Russian economy if serious negotiations do not materialize. “All deadlines have already been broken, and dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined,” he stated, reiterating the necessity for decisive action following the recent attacks.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the humanitarian toll of the conflict grows increasingly severe.