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Kyiv woke up to devastation on August 28, 2025, as Russia unleashed its second‑largest aerial attack since the start of the full‑scale invasion. The overnight barrage of drones and missiles left at least 23 people dead — including four children — and damaged buildings belonging to the European Union and the British Council
1. The Scale of the Attack
Weapon count: Ukraine’s air force reported 629 aerial weapons launched — 598 drones and 31 missiles.
Impact zones: Strikes hit residential areas, diplomatic buildings, and infrastructure across multiple Kyiv districts.
Casualties: Most fatalities occurred when a five‑storey building in the Darnytskyi district was struck.
2. Diplomatic Fallout
Targeted diplomacy: Ukrainian officials accused Moscow of deliberately hitting diplomatic missions, calling it a breach of the Vienna Convention.
International outrage: The EU, UK, and Azerbaijan condemned the strikes, summoning Russian ambassadors in protest.
Global leaders respond: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack “another grim reminder of what is at stake”.
3. Military and Infrastructure Damage
Energy grid hit: Power facilities in several regions were damaged, cutting electricity to tens of thousands.
Ukrainian counterstrike: Kyiv’s forces reported damaging a Russian missile‑carrying warship in the Sea of Azov.
Refinery fire: A Ukrainian drone attack sparked a blaze at a Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar.
4. Political Context
Timing: The assault came just hours after high‑level talks in Washington between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, and European leaders.
Narrative clash: While Moscow claimed it targeted military sites, Kyiv and its allies saw the strikes as a direct rejection of ceasefire efforts.
UN stance: Secretary‑General António Guterres condemned the attack and renewed calls for a ceasefire.
This latest escalation underscores the fragility of ongoing diplomatic efforts and the human cost of the war. With civilian areas and diplomatic missions now in the crosshairs, the attack marks a dangerous shift in both military strategy and political messaging. As Kyiv rebuilds, the question remains whether the international community can turn outrage into effective action.