In the early hours of 2025, Russia carried out an aerial attack on central Kyiv. This marked a rare strike on the Ukrainian capital. The attack claimed two lives, injured six, and left four people trapped under rubble, according to Ukraine’s state emergency services. Local authorities said the damage resulted from falling debris, which indicated successful interception of the drones.
This attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised in his New Year’s speech to do everything in his power to end the war in the coming year. In a Telegram post, Zelensky denounced the attack, saying, *\”Even on New Year’s night, Russia only cares about hurting Ukraine.\”*
The targeted Pechersky district houses the presidential palace and offices of the government. The attacks damaged apartment houses and a structure of the central bank. There were several powerful explosions during the strike, reported AFP reporters in the area.
According to the Ukrainian air force, overnight Russia fired 111 drones, and Ukraine intercepted or neutralized 109 of them. The two countries have increased aerial bombardments in the past few months as they both try to gain an upper hand before US President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated in January.
Putin had recently warned of potential strikes on Kyiv in retaliation for Ukraine’s use of US-supplied weapons on Russian territory. Meanwhile, the assertions by Trump of being able to broker peace swiftly have sent Kyiv scurrying as fears grow there of a settlement that might work too much to Moscow’s favor.
