Rising Fatalities in Kyiv Due to Russian Missile and Drone Assault

Kyiv, Aug 29 (AP) – The number of fatalities from a significant missile and drone assault by Russia on Ukraine's capital has risen to 23, with four children among the dead, officials reported Friday. US-led efforts to resolve the three-year conflict have stalled.

Friday has been declared an official day of mourning in the Kyiv region. Flags are flying at half-staff, and all entertainment events have been canceled following an attack involving almost 600 drones and over 30 missiles between Wednesday and Thursday, including rare strikes on central Kyiv.

According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, rescue workers managed to save 17 individuals from the rubble in Kyiv’s aftermath, including four children. The youngest victim was a 2-year-old girl. Authorities noted that some bodies are still unidentified and eight people remain missing. More than 50 individuals sustained injuries.

“Thousands of personnel from the Interior Ministry's agencies and units worked at the strike sites in Kyiv, rotating every few hours,” Klymenko said of the non-stop 30-hour rescue operation.

Attempts to secure a ceasefire and end Europe's most significant conflict since World War II via a comprehensive peace agreement have made no headway.

US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Putin’s hesitance to engage in direct peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump mentioned last week that he would make a decision on the subsequent steps within two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled.

Trump previously remarked that Putin “talks nice and then he bombs everybody.” Yet, the recent assault on Kyiv drew no direct censure from the Trump administration, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil refineries.

European Union defense ministers voiced their outrage Friday at Russia's continuing offensive in Ukraine and vowed to increase pressure on Moscow.

Putin is slated to attend a summit in China starting Sunday, which will also feature participation by Iran and North Korea — countries that, according to the United States, have supported Moscow's military efforts.

From September 9, global leaders are expected to convene at the UN General Assembly, where Russia's invasion is likely to be a topic of discussion.

In parallel, Western officials are crafting security assurances for Ukraine, aimed at deterring another Russian invasion should a peace agreement be reached.

Zelenskyy remarked Friday that Russia has not altered its stipulations for ceasing its invasion. Conversely, Ukraine has embraced an American proposal for a ceasefire and a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting.

The Ukrainian leader urged nations to heighten pressure on Russia’s economy through sanctions and tariffs.

“Russia refused to stop the killing — they even said ‘no’ to President Trump. We’re observing adverse signals from Russia concerning a potential leaders’ summit,” Zelenskyy posted on social media. “Frankly, we believe Putin is only focused on continuing this war.”

The Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, noted that recent American presidents have hesitated to adopt a firmer stance against Putin due to concerns over a potential nuclear confrontation.

“Putin is aware that Washington and its allies have more than sufficient capability to reverse his gains in Ukraine, but likely doubts that the United States is willing to do so,” the Atlantic Council assessed this week.

It further observed that “the second Trump administration has consistently indicated that the United States holds no vital interests in this war.” (AP) SCY SCY

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