Rescuers Find More Bodies as Kyiv Death Toll Climbs After Russian Missile Strike
Emergency workers in Kyiv are continuing intensive search and recovery efforts following a large-scale Russian aerial attack that struck the Ukrainian capital earlier this week. The death toll from the devastating bombardment has risen to 28, as rescuers pull more bodies from the remains of a nine-story apartment building that suffered a direct hit.
The attack, which took place overnight Monday into Tuesday, targeted Kyiv with a barrage of missiles and drones. A Russian missile struck the residential building in the Solomianskyi district, causing its catastrophic collapse. Authorities have confirmed that 23 of the fatalities occurred within this single building, making it the deadliest incident in Kyiv this year. Five additional deaths were reported elsewhere in the city as a result of the widespread attack.
Scene of Destruction and Ongoing Search
At the site of the collapsed building, emergency crews are working tirelessly to clear debris and search for victims. Using heavy equipment such as cranes and excavators, alongside sniffer dogs and manual labor, rescuers navigate the perilous rubble. The force of the direct hit caused significant damage extending far beyond the destroyed building, blowing out windows and doors in neighboring structures across a wide radius.
A Massive Aerial Assault
This deadly strike was part of one of the largest aerial bombardments of the war, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia launched more than 440 drones and 32 missiles across Ukraine, seeking to overwhelm the country’s air defenses. The intensified long-range attacks on urban residential areas are occurring as Russia presses forward with a summer offensive along the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line in the conflict, now in its fourth year.
Human Impact and Community Response
The human toll of the attack is immense, leaving a community reeling from loss and trauma. Kyiv authorities declared Wednesday an official day of mourning to honor the victims. Mourners have gathered near the site of the collapse, laying flowers at a nearby playground as a poignant tribute.
The psychological impact on survivors and the families of those killed is profound. Emergency service psychologists are providing counseling to help people cope with the shock and grief. Many remain in a state of stupor, waiting anxiously for news of missing loved ones trapped beneath the rubble.
Residents in nearby buildings also experienced terror and narrowly escaped injury. Valentin Hrynkov, a 64-year-old handyman who lived in a connected building, described waking to explosions and feeling overwhelming “helplessness and primal fear” during the attack. His apartment was damaged by the blast, leaving him and his wife with injuries from broken glass and briefly trapping them. The trauma has left him fearful, startled even by everyday sounds.
Adding to the challenges, rescue operations at the collapsed building were reportedly delayed at times due to the persistent threat of ongoing drone attacks in the immediate vicinity. Drones continued to strike close to the site, forcing crews to pause their critical work as distraught relatives and friends gathered nearby, calling out names in desperate hope.
Geopolitical Context
The attack unfolded amidst complex geopolitical circumstances. Stalled U.S.-led peace efforts have failed to gain momentum, and global attention on the conflict in Ukraine has reportedly waned, partly due to rising Middle East tensions and U.S. trade policy focus.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv commented on the strike, stating that this “senseless attack runs counter to President Trump’s call to stop the killing and end the war.”
