Zelensky Urges G7 Leaders for Stronger Air Defense After Deadly Russian Strike

Ukraine’s capital endured its deadliest night in months as Russian forces launched a relentless 10-hour assault that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 40. Among the dead is a 62-year-old American citizen, officials confirmed, marking a grim escalation in Moscow’s ongoing war on Ukraine.

The attack involved a barrage of Iranian-made Shahed drones followed by a wave of missiles. The coordinated strike overwhelmed Kyiv’s air defense systems, setting multiple residential buildings ablaze and causing partial collapses across several districts.

Authorities say many residents were still asleep when the first explosions echoed through the city. In the aftermath, emergency crews worked through the debris, pulling survivors from the rubble and extinguishing fires that lit up the Kyiv skyline. “Today, Kyiv endured another difficult night,” said Tymur Tkachenko, Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. “Another attack, more wounded, destroyed homes, human suffering, and anxiety.”

U.S. Citizen Among the Dead

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the American citizen was killed in the Solomianskyi district, though details remain scarce. The individual’s identity has not yet been made public pending notification of next of kin. The death underscores the indiscriminate nature of the assault and adds new pressure on Washington to respond decisively.

The mayor described the situation on the ground as “heartbreaking” and reiterated calls for stronger international air defense support. “We are doing everything possible to protect our people, but our capabilities are being stretched to their limit,” he said.

Assault Coincides with G7 Summit

The timing of the attack appears calculated. As the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) convene for a high-stakes summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pressing for increased military aid and harsher sanctions on Russia. The assault on Kyiv sends a clear message from Moscow: the war is far from over.

Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump, present at the summit in a controversial guest appearance, left early Monday and skipped a planned meeting with Zelensky. While Trump gave no official reason for his departure, critics were quick to point to his increasingly ambivalent stance on continued U.S. support for Ukraine.

Air Defenses Overwhelmed

Ukraine’s air force reported that more than 30 drones and 20 missiles were launched overnight, with a majority intercepted. However, officials acknowledged that several slipped through, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities despite Western assistance. Residential buildings in at least three Kyiv districts suffered severe damage, and a maternity ward was also struck, though no casualties were reported there.

“People were hiding in basements, children crying, sirens blaring for hours—it felt endless,” said Oleksandra, a local resident who survived the night. “We are grateful for the help we receive, but we need more. We need this to stop.”

Global Condemnation Mounts

As rescue operations continue and casualties climb, condemnation from the international community is mounting. EU and NATO leaders called the attack a “war crime,” while Joe Biden reiterated that “the U.S. stands firmly with Ukraine.” However, the absence of concrete new pledges has drawn criticism from Kyiv, which warns that hesitation now will only embolden Russia further.

With Kyiv battered and its people once again grieving, Zelensky’s message to world leaders was unambiguous: “Every delay costs lives.”