We waited for his body: Rescuers pull bodies from Kyiv rubble after Russian attack
Ukraine: Kyiv’s deadliest airstrike of the year has left 28 people dead after a Russian missile hit a nine-storey apartment block in the city’s Solomianskyi district.
Emergency services continued to retrieve bodies from the rubble on Wednesday, with authorities confirming that 23 of the victims had been inside the collapsed building. Five others were killed elsewhere in the city.
The blast — part of a broader Russian barrage targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and cities — caused widespread destruction. Windows and doors were shattered in nearby buildings, and the impact radius stretched across the neighbourhood.
Rescue workers used cranes, excavators and sniffer dogs to search for victims, as relatives and friends waited anxiously for news of their loved ones. Some survivors received psychological support on-site.
“It’s scary. A car drives by and I cover my head,” said 64-year-old resident Valentin Hrynkov, who was injured along with his wife in the explosion. Trapped for 30 minutes in his apartment, he described the experience as one of “primal fear.”
The missile strike was part of a massive Russian assault that included over 440 drones and 32 missiles, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It comes amid a renewed summer offensive by Russia across the 1,000-kilometre front line.
Kyiv authorities have declared Wednesday an official day of mourning. Residents laid flowers and toys near the site, while others stood in stunned silence across the street.
The US Embassy in Kyiv condemned the attack, calling it a direct contradiction of President Donald Trump’s call to end hostilities. “This senseless attack runs counter to President Trump's call to stop the killing and end the war,” the embassy posted on X.
While international attention remains divided due to rising tensions in the Middle East and US trade disputes, Ukraine continues to appeal for increased diplomatic and military support.
As night fell over the capital, residents remained wary of further strikes. For many in Kyiv, the trauma of this attack will linger long after the dust settles.
(With AP inputs)