Russian drone strikes on Monday targeted Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv, killing at least eight civilians and wounding dozens across multiple regions, officials reported. The attack on the historic science center occurred during daylight hours, marking a shift in Moscow’s tactics as winter approaches.
Russian strikes kill 8 civilians across Ukraine
Russian forces conducted round-the-clock bombardment on Monday, striking civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. Authorities confirmed eight deaths and over 50 injuries, including a 16-year-old girl killed in Sumy and a woman struck in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district. The National Academy of Sciences, located near the German embassy and government buildings, sustained significant damage as thick smoke and flames engulfed the structure. Video footage showed survivors evacuating through windows amid the inferno.
Ukraine reports battlefield gains amid intensified strikes
Ukraine’s military claimed Operation Vivaldi, a recent offensive, had recaptured 51 square kilometers from Russian forces, bringing the total to 176 square kilometers since the operation began. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks as “terrorism”, asserting Russia had “no military objective” in targeting civilian sites. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned Ukraine would “pay a price” for recent actions, framing the strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian military operations.
Widespread damage reported in multiple regions
In Dnipro, Russian strikes killed four people and injured 19 at a business center. A pharmaceutical company and gas station were also hit in Kyiv, while residential buildings were damaged in Sumy, Rivne, and Odesa. Poland scrambled jets to defend its airspace and advised border residents to remain indoors. Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky reported damage to an ice cream factory in Zhytomyr and 30 civilians wounded in Zaporizhzhia, including three critically.
Diplomatic efforts stall as winter looms
The attacks followed a week of U.N. negotiations, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing Europe of “thwarting peace talks.” Ukraine’s military warned of continuous drone threats, restricting troop movements along the 1,250-kilometer front line. Authorities urged preparedness as last year’s energy infrastructure attacks left millions without power during sub-zero temperatures.