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2025.08.28 22:01 GMT+8

Russia launches large-scale strikes, Ukraine reports civilian deaths

Updated 2025.08.28 22:01 GMT+8
CGTN

Firefighters extinguish fire in a building after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, August 28, 2025. /VCG

Russian forces have carried out a group strike against Ukraine's military-industrial enterprises and airbases, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The strike involves long-range, high-precision air-launched weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missiles, as well as combat drones, the ministry stated in a press release. "The targets of the strike were achieved, and all designated objectives were hit," it said.

Ukrainian officials reported on Thursday that an overnight attack on Kyiv resulted in 10 deaths, 38 injuries, and damage to residential and other buildings across seven districts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attack demonstrated Russia's response to diplomacy amid efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war. "Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table," Zelenskyy wrote on X, calling for new sanctions against Russia. "It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war."

The Ukrainian air force said it had shot down 563 of 598 drones and 26 of 31 missiles launched by Russia in a nationwide attack. The Air Force recorded hits at 13 locations and debris falling at 26 locations.

The Kremlin says Russia does not intentionally target civilians and only aims at military or military-related facilities.

Separately, Moscow's Defense Ministry stated that Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 102 Ukrainian drones overnight, which had targeted at least seven regions.

Kyiv has increased drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and export infrastructure this month. In the overnight attack, Ukraine's forces targeted Afipsky and Kuybyshevskyi oil refineries, according to the Ukrainian drone forces commander.

Protest from Europe

The European Union and the United Kingdom summoned Russian envoys to protest. The strikes caused damage to the European Union's mission and British Council offices in the city, officials said. There were no reports of casualties at either location.

EU Commissioner Marta Kos said the EU building was damaged during strikes on civilian areas. "I strongly condemn these brutal attacks," she added.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas announced on Thursday that the EU is summoning the Russian envoy in Brussels. Kallas stated on X that she had spoken with colleagues in Kyiv after the Russian strike. "No diplomatic mission should ever be a target," she said.

(With input from agencies)

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