Ukraine updates: EU office in Kyiv damaged in Russian attack

The British Council in Ukraine's building was also struck during the overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital.

In a post on Facebook, the body said the office had been "severely damaged," adding that it would remain closed until further notice.

The British Council in Kyiv provides English language courses and other educational programmes.

Although it is sponsored by the UK's Foreign Office, it operates independently from the British government. 

While it warned of "some delays" in replying to messages, the Council said their "work with our Ukrainian partners in education and culture continues."

3 children among 14 killed in Kyiv attack — Zelenskyy

The death toll from Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv has risen to 14, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian president said three children were among those killed in the "horrific and deliberate killing of civilians."

Zelenskyy said the latest strikes, which hit "dozens of buildings," including residential apartment blocks and office buildings, were proof that Moscow is "not choosing to end the war, only new strikes."

The Ukrainian leader repeated his urgent appeal to the world to "respond firmly."

He called for "new, strong sanctions" to punish Moscow for "spurning" attempts at a ceasefire and for its "constant attempts to weasel out of negotiations."

"The Russians understand only strength and pressure. For every strike, Moscow must feel the consequences," Zelenskyy said.

Von der Leyen accuses Russia of indiscriminate attacks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also condemned Russia's "relentless bombings" on Kyiv.

She said the overnight barrage struck "civilian infrastructure and killed innocents."

Von der Leyen said the EU delegation's staff was safe after their building in the Ukrainian capital was also shelled.

"Russia must stop its indiscriminatory attacks on civilian infrastructure immediately and join negotiations for a just and lasting peace," the EU chief said.

Antonio Costa condemns Russia's 'deliberate' attack on EU staff

President of the European Council Antonio Costa said he was "horrified" by Russia's overnight missile attacks on Ukraine. 

He revealed that the building where the EU delegation to Ukraine's staff sits was also damaged in the "deliberate" strike.

"The EU will not be intimidated. Russia's aggression only strengthens our resolve to stand with Ukraine and its people," Costa said in a post on X.  

Ukraine says Russia fired second-largest overnight aerial barrage of the war

Russia fired some 629 drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight, marking the second highest figure of strikes launched at its neighbor in a single night in the entire war, the Ukrainian Air Force said. 

In a message on Telegram, the Air Force stated that Moscow launched 598 drones and 31 missiles, including two Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and nine ballistic missiles. These are high-speed strikes that are difficult to intercept.

Ukraine reported hits at 13 locations in the countrywide attack.

Zelenskyy says 'Russia must feel accountable for every strike'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X to express his condolences to the grieving families. He said that at least one child was among those confirmed dead and that several people may still be trapped under the rubble.

"These Russian missiles and attack drones today are a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy. Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war," Zelenskyy wrote in the social media post. 

In the emotional and frustrated message, he accused Russia of taking advantage "of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin."

He especially called out China and Hungary, both important partners of the Kremlin, seeking their reactions to the Russian strike and civilian deaths.

"All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined. Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this war," said Zelenskyy, calling for new, tough sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian drones reported over Russia

Air-raid alerts were briefly issued in Russia's southwestern Lipetsk region on Thursday morning followqng reports of incoming Ukrainian drones, according to state news agency TASS.

Meanwhile, the Russian military reported the launch of Ukrainian drones over the Rostov, Belgorod and Smolensk regions as well over the occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.

Volgograd airport has restricted operations as a precaution.

Many dead and injured in 'massive' Russian airstrikes on Kyiv

At least 14 people were killed and dozens more injured in a large-scale Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram that a "massive attack on the capital" was underway and that emergency services were working in the Darnytsky, Dniprovsky and Shevchenkivsky districts, where damage to some residential buildings had been reported.

He later added that 38 people were injured in the attack.

Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, said a kindergarten was ablaze.

Journalists working for the AFP news agency reported hearing and seeing powerful explosions in the capital, and described red tracer bullets sailing through the sky in an effort to intercept drones. At least one missile appeared to be shot down, one journalist said.

Explosions were also reported in northern city of Sumy and the southeastern cities of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, while citizens across Ukraine were ordered to seek shelter.