KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday called for stronger international sanctions against Russia after a missile and drone assault on Kyiv killed at least 31 people, including five children. The youngest victim was two years old. The early Thursday strikes, among the deadliest in Kyiv since the war began, damaged residential buildings, a hospital, a nursery, a university, and a school. A collapsed apartment block left bodies buried beneath rubble. Emergency crews worked into the night to pull survivors from the debris.
Ukrainian President Zelensky described the scene as “a deliberate act of terror,” urging allies to increase pressure on the Kremlin. “No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, sanctions do work and they must be strengthened,” he said.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched more than 300 Shahed drones and eight cruise missiles in the attack. Sirens echoed through the capital before dawn as air defenses responded to incoming threats.
Kyiv declared a day of mourning on Friday. Residents laid flowers near the wreckage as flags flew at half-mast.
More than 150 people were wounded, including 16 children, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service. Local officials said recovery operations were still ongoing in the city’s Holosiivskyi and Dniprovskyi districts, where multiple structures were hit directly.
The White House confirmed it was reviewing new sanctions. US President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election, condemned the strikes. “Russia, I think it’s disgusting what they’re doing,” Trump said Thursday in New York. He suggested additional tariffs on Russian oil could be enforced if Moscow fails to halt attacks.
Earlier this month, Trump issued an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire within 50 days. This week, he shortened the deadline to August 8.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Friday that Kyiv had received “positive signals” from Washington about targeting Russia’s oil exports and financial networks. “President Trump has shown patience, but now is the time to act decisively,” he said.
German authorities announced plans to deliver two additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine “within days,” bringing the total provided by Berlin to five.
Zelensky said Russia has intensified its assault in recent weeks. In July alone, he said, Russian forces launched more than 5,100 glide bombs, 3,800 Iranian-made Shahed drones, and 260 missiles including 128 ballistic.
“Every day matters. This can only be stopped through joint efforts by America, Europe, and other global actors,” he said.
U.S. officials, including senior diplomat John Kelley, called for immediate ceasefire talks at the UN Security Council on Thursday. “It is time to make a deal,” Kelley said, warning of rising civilian casualties if negotiations stall.
Russia has not publicly responded to the latest call for talks or acknowledged responsibility for the Kyiv strikes. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied targeting civilians.
Thursday’s attack follows a sharp rise in missile use across Ukraine’s eastern and central regions, signaling what analysts believe may be an attempt by Russia to pressure Ukraine ahead of possible ceasefire discussions.
As search teams continued to clear debris on Friday, survivors and families of victims demanded justice.
“We were asleep when the missile hit,” said Mykola P., a Kyiv resident whose apartment was destroyed. “My wife is gone. My daughter is in the hospital. We need the world to hear us. This can’t go on.”
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