The death toll from a Russian cruise missile strike that flattened a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv rose to 24 on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. The attack occurred Thursday as Russia launched its largest aerial barrage on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the Ukrainian air force. Emergency crews completed their search of the rubble after more than 36 hours, recovering the final bodies from the collapsed corner apartment block.

Zelenskyy led the official day of mourning in Kyiv, standing alongside grieving families beneath a makeshift memorial near the destroyed building. Mourners, many of them children clutching flowers and stuffed animals, approached the growing pile of tributes that included photographs of the dead. A portrait of a teenage girl in a school uniform was prominently displayed among the images. Foreign diplomats stationed in Kyiv also paid their respects at the site, which became the focal point of national grief.

Ukraine reports 24 dead including three teenagers

The strike killed 24 people, including three teenagers, according to Ukrainian authorities. Rescue workers described the recovery effort as one of the most challenging in the war, with crews using heavy machinery to sift through concrete and twisted metal. The missile hit the apartment building during evening hours when residents were likely at home, amplifying the tragedy. Ukrainian officials condemned the attack as a deliberate strike on civilian infrastructure.

Russia has intensified its aerial campaign in recent weeks, conducting large-scale missile and drone attacks across multiple Ukrainian regions. The barrage followed the collapse of a proposed 72-hour ceasefire between May 9 and May 11, which both sides accused the other of violating. The Kremlin has not commented on the specific attack but previously claimed its strikes target only military facilities supporting Ukraine’s war effort.

International reaction to Kyiv missile strike

The international community condemned the attack, with diplomats and world leaders expressing solidarity with Ukraine. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency session to discuss the escalating violence. Zelenskyy vowed to continue Ukraine’s resistance, stating in a televised address that the attack would only strengthen the country’s determination to defend itself. The strike has drawn comparisons to previous Russian attacks on densely populated areas, which have drawn widespread international criticism.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted some missiles during Thursday’s barrage, but the cruise missile responsible for the Kyiv apartment strike evaded detection. Military analysts suggest the attack may have utilized advanced Russian weapons systems designed to penetrate air defense networks. The strike comes as Ukraine struggles with shortages of air defense missiles, further complicating its ability to protect civilian areas.

Broader implications of escalating attacks

The attack on the Kyiv apartment building underscores the growing risks to civilians as Russia intensifies its military campaign. More than four years into the war, Russian forces continue to target urban centers, leading to a rising civilian death toll. Ukrainian officials report that over 12,000 civilians have been killed since the full-scale invasion began, with thousands more injured. The international community’s response remains divided, with Western nations continuing to provide military aid and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy is expected to address the nation again in the coming days, likely outlining further measures to protect civilians and bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. The attack also raises questions about the effectiveness of international sanctions imposed on Russia, as Moscow continues to produce and deploy advanced weaponry despite economic restrictions. The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine shows no signs of abating as the conflict enters its fifth year.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: NPR
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 09:28 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #npr · #usa · #world-news · #war · #conflict · #death

Read the Full Story

This is a curated summary. For the complete article, original data, quotes and full analysis:

Read the full story on NPR →

All reporting rights belong to the respective author(s) at NPR. GlobalBR News summarizes publicly available content to help readers discover the most relevant global news.

Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Um ataque com mísseis russos atingiu um prédio residencial em Kiev na madrugada desta terça-feira, deixando um rastro de destruição e ao menos 24 mortos, incluindo três adolescentes, em mais um capítulo da guerra que já dura mais de dois anos. O presidente ucraniano, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, liderou as homenagens às vítimas, enquanto equipes de resgate concluíam a busca por sobreviventes entre os escombros, em um episódio que reforça a escalada da brutalidade do conflito no leste europeu.

A tragédia ocorre em um momento de crescente tensão, com a Ucrânia sofrendo com a escassez de munição e a Rússia intensificando seus bombardeios em áreas civis, mesmo após promessas de recuo em negociações internacionais. Para o Brasil, que tem mantido uma postura de neutralidade diplomática, mas com laços históricos com a Ucrânia, o episódio reacende debates sobre o impacto humanitário da guerra e a necessidade de soluções urgentes. Além disso, a situação afeta diretamente a comunidade ucraniana no país, que acompanha com angústia os desdobramentos do conflito.

A investigação preliminar aponta para o uso de mísseis de alta precisão, o que levanta questionamentos sobre o cumprimento de acordos internacionais por parte da Rússia. Enquanto a Ucrânia promete retaliação, a comunidade internacional observa com apreensão os próximos passos de Moscou.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Un nuevo ataque con misiles rusos ha sacudido la capital ucraniana, dejando un reguero de destrucción y dolor. El brutal bombardeo, que redujo un edificio residencial a escombros, ha elevado la cifra de muertos a 24, entre ellos tres adolescentes, en un día que ha conmocionado a Ucrania y al mundo.

El suceso, ocurrido en plena madrugada, forma parte de una escalada de violencia que ha intensificado la guerra en los últimos meses, con Rusia redoblando sus ataques contra infraestructuras civiles en Kyiv y otras regiones. La respuesta de Volodímir Zelenski, quien encabezó el duelo nacional, subraya no solo la gravedad del momento, sino también la determinación de Ucrania para resistir. Para los hispanohablantes, este episodio recuerda la crudeza del conflicto —que cumple más de dos años— y la urgencia de seguir apoyando a una población que, pese a todo, mantiene viva su esperanza.