UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting After Deadly Strike on Kyiv

The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting at 10 PM on Friday in response to a devastating Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv, which killed at least 21 people, including four children, and wounded 48 others. The meeting, requested by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his allies, comes as Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys and 31 missiles across the country, with the capital city bearing the brunt of the attack. The strikes damaged European Union diplomatic offices, the British Council building, and nearly 100 buildings, including a shopping mall, with thousands of windows blown out across the city.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 21 people, including four children, were killed in the Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv.
• 48 others were wounded in the attack, which damaged multiple buildings, including the European Union diplomatic offices and the British Council building.
• Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys and 31 missiles across Ukraine, with Kyiv being the target of the majority of the attacks.
• The attack is the first major Russian assault on Kyiv in weeks and one of the largest since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
• European officials have condemned the attack, with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen stating that two strikes landed just 50 meters from the EU Mission to Ukraine building.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of showing no genuine commitment to peace talks.
• The UN Security Council meeting will take place at 10 PM on Friday, at the request of President Zelenskyy and his allies, including Britain, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and Greece.

Statistics:

• 598 strike drones and decoys were launched by Russia across Ukraine.
• 31 missiles of different types were launched by Russia across Ukraine.
• At least 33 locations in all 10 districts of Kyiv were hit or damaged by falling debris.
• Nearly 100 buildings were damaged in the attack, including a shopping mall.
• Thousands of windows were blown out across the city of Kyiv.
• 21 people were killed in the attack, including four children.
• 48 others were wounded in the attack.

Sources:

• Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs Andrii Sybiha on X
• Kyiv city officials
• Ukraine's Air Force
• European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen
• EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X
• Times of Israel