Russian attack severely damages EU delegation building in Kyiv

On Thursday morning, Russian forces struck the building housing the European Union’s delegation in Kyiv, causing significant structural damage.

The EU’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, described the building as “severely damaged by the shock wave” from a massive overnight barrage of drone and ballistic missile strikes. She reported that the attacks left at least 10 people dead and 30 injured.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the strike, stating that it “targeted diplomats—in direct breach of the Vienna Convention.” He added that the assault “requires not only the EU’s, but worldwide condemnation”, expressing solidarity with EU colleagues and offering Ukraine’s assistance.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas denounced the attacks as “a deliberate choice to escalate and mock the peace efforts.” Meanwhile, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called the strikes a brutal rejection of peace, emphasising solidarity with EU staff, their families, and all Ukrainians enduring this aggression.

The attack comes amid heightened diplomatic efforts, as U.S. President Donald Trump increases pressure on Russia’s Vladimir Putin in pursuit of a peace deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with key European backers, met at the White House on August 18, shortly after a Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.

Ukraine has prioritised Western-backed security guarantees in any settlement to prevent further Russian attacks, with work on these guarantees now accelerating.

The strikes formed part of a wider, deadly attack across Kyiv, leaving significant destruction and casualties, including children. Ukrainian media reported that more than 20 locations were hit across the city, affecting approximately 100 sites in total.

Authorities confirmed that eight people were killed and 45 were injured, among them children. Emergency aircraft have been deployed to assist with the aftermath.

In Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, a high-rise residential building was completely destroyed, with rescue teams continuing debris removal operations. In central Kyiv, a shopping centre sustained serious damage, underscoring the widespread devastation caused by Russia’s overnight strikes.

By Tamilla Hasanova