Russia launches a “massive ‘deadly strike on Kyiv, say the Ukrainian authorities

London – At least nine people died and more were injured in a Russian night attack in several districts and residential areas in kyiv, Ukrainian officials said Thursday.

“During the night, Russia made a massive attack against Ukraine,” said the Ministry of Defense. “Cruise missiles, drones, ballistic weapons, another blow to peaceful cities and Ukrainian houses.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, who travels in South Africa, said Thursday that he would cancel part of his planned visit and return to Ukraine earlier than expected.

“It is extremely important for everyone to see and understand what is really happening,” he said. “Almost 70 missiles, including ballistics. And about 150 attack drones.”

The Russian attack occurred in the midst of the intensification of negotiations to end the war, with White House officials by pressing Zelenskyy and Ukraine to accept a possible peace plan that can include land assigned to Russia, according to a senior Ukrainian official. President Donald Trump accused Zelenskyy on Wednesday to prolong “the ‘field of killing’.

At least 70 people were injured during the night, including 42 that were hospitalized, said the Ukrainian state emergency service in a position in the telegram messaging application. Zelenskyy said that more than 80 people had been injured.

Six children were among the injured, said the emergency service.

Rescue operations continued early on Thursday in the capital, where the first to respond were digging through the debris of residential buildings for survivors, defense officials said.

“These attacks are another confirmation: Russia is not looking for peace. He continues to kill Ukrainians,” said the ministry on social networks.

Outside kyiv, Russia also attacked the Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions.