A fire-fighting helicopter was deployed to combat a fire in Kyiv, Ukraine, following a Russian missile and drone strike on June 17, 2025. The attack occurred amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The strike on Kyiv was among the most devastating since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022. It coincided with a standstill in direct peace negotiations between the two nations. President Zelensky reported that a section of an apartment building was completely destroyed, and rescue teams were actively searching for survivors trapped beneath the debris.
Journalists reported hearing drones and explosions as Ukrainian air defenses attempted to intercept the incoming barrage. Many residents sought refuge in a central Kyiv metro station, where they slept on mats, shared information about the attacks, and comforted their pets. Residents described the attack as one of the most intense they had experienced.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko stated that approximately 27 locations in Kyiv were targeted. Additionally, one person was killed and ten injured in a strike on Odesa, while attacks in the Sumy and Kherson regions resulted in two more fatalities. President Zelensky indicated that a total of 440 drones and 32 missiles were used in the nationwide strikes.
President Zelensky described the attack on Kyiv as horrific and called for international attention. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of prolonging the war and urged the international community not to ignore the situation.
Another Kyiv resident, Sergiy, described the impact of the strikes, including shattered windows. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko reported that residential buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure were all targeted. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko announced that 114 people were wounded in the Kyiv attack, with 68 hospitalized. He also reported the death of a US citizen in the Solomyansky district.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, stated that the attacks demonstrated Moscow's continued aggression against civilians. Despite ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire, talks have stalled. Moscow has rejected the unconditional truce demanded by Kyiv and its allies, while Ukraine has dismissed Russia's demands.
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