Massive Russian strikes on Ukraine kill 21, drawing global condemnation

World leaders condemned Russia's massive missile and drone strikes that killed at least 21 people, wounding 48 and damaging European Union’s mission and British Council offices in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Thursday.

- Agencies

Thursday's attack was the first major combined Russian mass drone and missile attack to strike Kyiv since US President Donald Trump met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

President Trump was unhappy but not surprised by Russia's deadly strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, the White House said, while urging “both sides” to end the war started by Moscow's invasion.

“He was not happy about this news, but he was also not surprised. These are two countries that have been at war fora very long time,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Putin was “sabotaging” hopes of peace following the “senseless” strikes. The Russian ambassador to London was summoned to the foreign office.

“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating tabl Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X following the attack. “We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions.”

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said two strikes landed 20 seconds apart about 50 metres from the EU Mission to Ukraine building in Kyiv. She said no staff were injured in the strike.