28 People Killed In Kyiv As Russia Launches Hundreds Of Drones And Missiles

JAKARTA - The flag across Kyiv was lowered by half a pole on Wednesday, as Ukrainians mourn the deaths of more than 20 people in Russia's deadliest attack on the nation's capital this year.

Russia sent 440 drones and fired 32 missiles during last night's attack, said President Volodymyr Zelensky, which destroyed parts of residential buildings.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Wednesday the death toll had reached 28, but search operations were continuing.

Apart from Kyiv, two people were also killed in a separate attack on the southern port city of Odesa.

Residents visited the location of the partially destroyed apartment building where rescue workers dug pieces of debris amid the bustle of heavy engines. A Reuters correspondent saw two bodies removed from the rubble.

"A nation like that has no right to live and bring suffering to its people," said Alla Martyniuk (46) referring to Russian citizens.

Ukrainian officials said about 27 locations in Kyiv, including educational institutions and critical infrastructure, had been hit by attacks during several waves. Dozens of other people were injured.

Separately, the Russian Ministry of Defense said it had used air, land and sea-based drones and drones to attack "Ukraine military industrial complex objects" in the Kyiv region and the Zaporizhia province.

Moscow has stepped up drone and missile attacks in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in recent weeks as talks to end the war, which began with a full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, have paid off little.

President Zelensky left the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada on Tuesday saying diplomacy was in "crisis", after missing the opportunity to meet US President Donald Trump to provide more weapons.

Kyiv is in dire need of important assistance from Washington, which has been its biggest military supporter during the war, but the Trump Administration has yet to announce any new plans.