KYIV, Ukraine — A significant airstrike by Russia targeted Kyiv early Thursday, marking a rare assault on the city center. The attack resulted in at least 18 fatalities and left 48 others injured, according to local authorities. The strikes also caused damage to European Union diplomatic offices, intensifying concerns over ongoing peace negotiations amid the three-year conflict.

This assault, involving a barrage of drones and missiles, was the first major attack on Kyiv in several weeks. U.S.-led efforts to mediate peace in the region have struggled to make progress. In response to the attack, Britain condemned the strikes as detrimental to peace efforts, while Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, summoned Russia's envoy to Brussels for discussions regarding the incident.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's city administration, reported that among the deceased were four children aged between 2 and 17. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

The Ukrainian Air Force indicated that Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys, along with 31 missiles, primarily targeting Kyiv. At least 33 locations across all ten districts of the city were hit or damaged by debris. Nearly 100 buildings sustained damage, including a shopping mall in the city center, and thousands of windows were shattered.

Witnesses described the chaos following the strikes. Oleksandr Khilko, who rushed to the scene after a missile struck a residential building where his sister lives, recounted hearing screams from those trapped under the rubble. "It’s inhuman, striking civilians," Khilko said, visibly shaken and covered in dust. "With every cell of my body, I want this war to end as soon as possible. I wait, but every time the air raid alarm sounds, I am afraid."

Sophia Akylina, a resident of Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, expressed her shock at the proximity of the attack. "It’s never happened before that they attacked so close," the 21-year-old said. "Negotiations haven’t yielded anything yet; unfortunately, people are suffering."

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen reported that two strikes occurred just 20 seconds apart, approximately 50 meters from the EU Mission to Ukraine building. Fortunately, no staff were injured. Kaja Kallas emphasized that "no diplomatic mission should ever be a target" and announced the summoning of the Russian envoy in response to the strikes.

The British Council, which promotes cultural relations, reported severe damage to its Kyiv office, which will remain closed until further notice. A guard was injured but is in stable condition. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the attacks undermine hopes for peace.

This attack is the first major combined drone and missile assault on Kyiv since a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska, where they discussed ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating, "Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table," and called for a global response to the violence.

Despite the escalation, the Kremlin expressed a continued interest in peace talks. However, Western leaders have accused Putin of delaying serious negotiations while Russian forces advance deeper into Ukraine. Ukrainian military officials acknowledged that Russian troops have entered an eighth region of Ukraine.

In a statement, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted military air bases and companies within Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, asserting that all designated targets were hit. The ministry also reported shooting down 102 Ukrainian drones overnight.

As the conflict continues, Ukraine has increased its domestic arms production, with many factories operating covertly. Indiscriminate attacks by Russia, which claim to target military sites, have resulted in numerous civilian casualties.

In related developments, Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian oil refineries, causing significant disruptions to the Russian war economy. Ukraine's national railway operator reported damage to infrastructure in the Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions, leading to delays and rerouted trains.