In the early hours of July 31, 2025, Kyiv endured a coordinated assault by Russian missiles and drones.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the raids resulted in at least six fatalities, among them a 6-year-old boy, while 52 people were wounded, and that number could rise.
The strike impacted 27 locations across Kyiv, causing extensive damage to homes, schools, and hospitals .
The city’s military administration reported the strikes struck four neighbourhoods — most strongly affecting the Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi districts.
In one area, a section of a nine‑storey residential building collapsed under the force of the bombing, with rescue crews racing to reach those trapped under rubble.
Ukrainian air force data shows Russian forces launched over 300 drones, including Shaheds and decoys, along with eight cruise missiles.
Air defence units intercepted 288 drones and three missiles, while five missiles and 21 drones struck targets inside Kyiv.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko noted that nine children were injured, the highest number recorded in Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in early 2022 .
Emergency workers battled fires and cleared debris to search for survivors.
Multiple buildings were damaged — among them schools, kindergartens, medical centres, and residential blocks across all affected districts .
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the offensive as a “response to our desire for peace” and called on international allies to pressure Moscow.
Ukrainian officials said the raids came shortly after a warning by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening new sanctions on Russia if progress toward peace was not made within days.
This episode adds to a pattern of intensified Russian bombardments on civilian areas in Kyiv in recent months, raising concerns about escalation and growing threats to noncombatants in urban zones.