Kyiv’s E.U. Mission and British Council premises sustained damage on Thursday following a lethal drone and missile assault by Russia on the Ukrainian capital.
Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s Administration, reported that these strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, among them four children.
U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the “senseless” attacks, alleging that Russia was “sabotaging hopes of peace.”
He pleaded, “Putin is killing children and civilians… the bloodshed must cease.”
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy reiterated Starmer’s position and confirmed that they “have summoned the Russian Ambassador.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the E.U. Commission, denounced the attacks, which marked the first time the E.U. delegation had been hit.
She stated, confirming the safety of E.U. mission staff, “Another night of Russia’s ceaseless bombardments targeted civilian infrastructure and claimed innocent lives… Russia must immediately halt its indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure and engage in negotiations for a fair and enduring peace.”
António Costa, President of the European Council, expressed his “horror” at the assault and firmly stated that the “E.U. will not be intimidated.”
He pledged, “Russia’s aggression only reinforces our commitment to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people.”
It was confirmed that its offices had “suffered considerable damage” due to the strikes and would remain closed indefinitely.
TIME requested additional comments from the British Council.
An update released on Thursday morning indicated that Russia launched approximately 598 strike drones into Ukraine overnight into the early hours, alongside 31 missiles of various types from launch sites including Kursk and other areas.
Tkachenko reported “significant damage to residential buildings in the Darnytsia and Dnipro districts,” specifically mentioning a five-story residential block in Darnytsia that was “directly hit” and destroyed.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the Darnytsia district, located in the city’s west.
Following the volley of strikes, Ukrainian President reiterated his appeals for more stringent sanctions against Russia.
He declared, “It is now imperative that the world reacts decisively. Russia must cease this war it initiated and persists with. Given its rejection of a cease-fire and continuous efforts to evade negotiations, new robust sanctions are essential.”
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that it had targeted sites “within Ukraine’s military-industrial complex” and that “all designated objectives were struck.”
The Ministry also reported intercepting and destroying 102 Ukrainian drones within Russian territory overnight. Yury Slyusar, acting Governor of the Rostov Region, indicated that 21 drones were neutralized in the Samara and Rostov regions, leading to the reported evacuation of 89 residents due to the “threat of detonation.”
Russia’s intense attacks on Ukraine follow a ” ” summit earlier this month in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin.
This meeting, the first direct encounter between Trump and Putin, aimed to facilitate discussions on a potential cease-fire, but concluded prematurely and, significantly, without any agreement.
Subsequently, Trump met with Zelensky and prominent European leaders, including Starmer, at the White House to deliberate on potential next steps.
Concurrently, Zelensky’s European allies are prepared to “escalate pressure” on Russia.
Starmer stated in mid-August, “We are indeed ready to increase pressure on Russia, especially on its economy, through sanctions and broader measures as deemed necessary.” He added, “It’s vital that we all persist in collaborating with Presidents Trump and Zelensky for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”