URGENT UPDATE: Russia has launched a devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv, injuring at least eight people, just one day before critical talks between Ukraine and the US. Explosions rattled the capital throughout the early hours of Saturday, July 15, 2023, as the assault targeted residential areas and key infrastructure.
The onslaught began just after midnight and continued until dawn, with local officials confirming strikes across seven locations in Kyiv. Among the injured is a 16-year-old child, underscoring the human cost of this latest escalation. Fires erupted in multiple residential buildings, including an 18-storey structure in the Dnipro district and a 24-storey building in Darnytsia.
Emergency crews responded swiftly to contain the flames, while the Kyiv Emergency Service reported that strikes also hit industrial and residential sites in the broader Kyiv region. In the Vyshhorod area, rescuers managed to save one individual trapped under rubble from a collapsed house.
This aggressive action by Russia coincides with preparations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with US President Donald Trump on Sunday. The two leaders are expected to discuss vital issues, including security guarantees and territorial disputes in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Zelensky stated that a 20-point plan is “about 90% ready,” but he could not confirm if any agreements would be finalized by the end of their meeting.
Zelensky emphasized the need for European involvement, expressing doubt about the feasibility of including European leaders at short notice. “We must, without doubt, find some format in the near future in which not only Ukraine and the US are present, but Europe is represented as well,” he remarked.
This latest attack marks a significant escalation in hostilities, coming amid an ongoing US-led diplomatic effort to resolve the nearly four-year-old conflict. However, conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv have hindered progress, leaving the situation precarious.
As the world watches closely, the focus remains on what will unfold in this pivotal meeting between Zelensky and Trump. The urgency of the moment cannot be overstated, as the implications of these discussions could shape the future of the war and the lives of millions affected by the ongoing violence.
Stay tuned for further updates as developments continue to unfold in this critical situation.
