Russian missiles and drones struck Ukrainian cities for a second straight night, killing two people in Kyiv and damaging civilian areas in an attack that lasted nearly 10 hours.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the July 10 attack, which targeted six Ukrainian regions, included 18 missiles and some 400 drones, nearly half of which were Iranian-made Shahed drones.
"This is a clear escalation of terror by Russia...Sanctions must be imposed faster," Zelenskyy said in a post on X as he called for more international pressure on Russia to agree to a cease-fire to end more than three years of war sparked by Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said that two people were killed and 24 more injured as a result of the Russian strike, which left at least five city districts awash in flames and debris from drone fragments that fell from the sky.
More Deaths, More Destruction In Kyiv After Night Of Russian Strikes
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said residential buildings, cars, and a gas station were damaged as emergency crews raced to different parts of the city during and after the attack. Klitschko added that an outpatient clinic in Kyiv's Podilskiy district was destroyed.
The Ukrainian military said that the drones hit eight locations and that 23 more places were struck by debris. The statement added that all of the ballistic and cruise missiles headed into Ukraine were shot down.
Kyiv resident Karyna told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that part of the multistory residential building she lives in was completely burned out as a result of an impact from the attack.
"I remember the sound, when all windows were shattered. Everything fell towards me," Karyna said. "I was shocked, I didn't know what was happening," she added.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's staff chief, said that combined Russian drone and missile attacks are aimed at paralyzing Ukrainian society.
"Putin's refusal to end the war needs to result in a stronger Ukraine and Europe," Yermak said in his post on Telegram.
The attacks came a day after Russia launched another 728 drones and 13 hypersonic Kinzhal and ballistic Iskander-K missiles on Ukraine the night before and through the morning of July 9.
"It was the highest number of aerial targets in a single day," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X.
That attack prompted a renewed call from Zelenskyy for "biting" sanctions against Russian oil and other measures to try and bring Moscow to the negotiating table for peace talks.
US President Donald Trump earlier this week expressed frustration with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Moscow's perceived foot-dragging on agreeing to a halt in the war.
Zelenskyy met on July 9 with US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Rome and expressed Ukraine’s full support for Trump’s peace initiative, which Kyiv has signed on to.
“An unconditional, comprehensive cease-fire and a meeting at the level of leaders are needed to ensure peace negotiations are genuine and effective,” the Ukrainian presidential office said in a statement at its website.
One of the topics of the Zelenskyy-Kellogg meeting was strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses amid the recent massive attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskyy also highlighted "the importance of signals from Washington about resuming military aid supplies to Ukraine,” the statement said.
The Pentagon last week announced it would stop some weapons shipments over concerns that US stockpiles were getting too low. But Trump has since said more weapons would be sent to Ukraine to help it defend itself.
“They have to be able to defend themselves,” Trump said on July 8. “They're getting hit very hard now.”
Zelenskyy said he and Kellogg discussed proposals to slap tougher sanctions on Moscow to increase pressure on Putin to agree to a cease-fire.
"We understand the need for tougher restrictions on Russian energy, especially secondary sanctions targeting buyers of Russian oil," Zelenskyy said on X.
He expressed hope for progress on legislation introduced in the US Congress calling for tougher sanctions. Zelenskyy said the legislation "could certainly make Russia give greater thought to peace."
The bill, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat-Connecticut) and backed by dozens of other members of Congress, would give the president the power to impose additional sanctions on Russia and new punishing tariffs on countries that support Russia’s war effort.
Zelenskyy and Kellogg are in Rome to attend a conference aimed mainly at mobilizing international support for Ukraine.
"Russian attacks must be met with a tough response. And that is exactly what we will deliver," Zelenskyy said on July 10.
