Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, April 25, 2025

Russia launched a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, marking its most intense assault in nearly nine months. The bombardment lasted for hours, leaving at least nine people dead and over 70 injured, in what is considered the deadliest strike on Kyiv since July of the previous year. This attack comes as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are reaching a critical point, with little hope for a breakthrough.

In response to the devastation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut his official trip to South Africa short and returned to Kyiv, where residents were left on edge for approximately 11 hours. Zelenskyy described the assault as one of Russia’s “most outrageous” acts of aggression.

The brutal attack on Kyiv follows a pattern of increasingly lethal Russian offensives against Ukrainian cities. Recent strikes include the targeting of Sumy, where more than 30 civilians were killed, and drone attacks on Odesa, as well as a powerful airstrike on Zaporizhzhia.

Peace Efforts on the Brink Amid Continued Violence

As these violent assaults continue, peace negotiations between the two nations have struggled to make headway. Despite ongoing talks, there is growing concern that they may ultimately fail to yield any substantial agreement.

Just hours before Kyiv’s bombing, former US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Zelenskyy, accusing him of prolonging the conflict by refusing to cede Crimea, which remains under Russian occupation. Zelenskyy, however, has firmly stated that any peace talks will be contingent on Russia’s withdrawal from occupied territories. The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly emphasized that recognizing Russian occupation of Ukrainian land is a red line for his government.

Ukraine had previously agreed to a US-backed ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, which was intended to serve as the first step toward peace. However, Russian attacks have persisted, undermining the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

International Pressure Mounts for Compromise

Senior US officials have warned that the Biden administration could soon abandon its efforts to mediate the conflict if both sides fail to reach a compromise. Polish President Andrzej Duda also called on both Russia and Ukraine to make necessary concessions for peace.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, condemned the attack, emphasizing that Russia’s actions contradict its claims of seeking peace. She wrote on social media, “While claiming to seek peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv. This isn’t a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it.”

As the violence escalates and peace efforts falter, the international community watches closely to see if Russia will take steps toward ending the war, or if the brutal cycle of attacks will continue unabated.