Two killed and dozens wounded in overnight barrage; former Zelensky aide Yermak detained in separate corruption probe
KYIV — Rescuers were searching through the rubble of a nine-story apartment block in Kyiv early Thursday after a massive Russian missile and drone strike killed two people and wounded 40 others. The attack, described by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as an “especially difficult night for Kyiv,” marks a sharp escalation in violence just days after a US-brokered three-day ceasefire collapsed.
The overnight assault targeted a residential building in the capital, destroying 18 apartments and disrupting the city’s water supply, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that dozens had been rescued from the debris but condemned the assault as an action inconsistent with any genuine desire to end the war. “This is definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end,” Zelensky said, urging international allies to speak out.
The barrage was part of a coordinated wave of attacks that swept across Ukraine, hitting regions including Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Odesa. The strikes followed a major Russian assault on Wednesday, which involved 892 drones and was cited as one of the largest since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. This sequence of events marks the third consecutive day Ukraine has reported fatalities as Moscow ramps up its offensive following the expiration of the truce on Monday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha characterized the strikes as “barbaric” and a clear demonstration of Moscow’s pursuit of “aggression and terror” over peace. He specifically noted the timing of the attacks, which occurred during a crucial summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Sybiha called on both leaders to leverage their influence to pressure Vladimir Putin into ending the conflict.
“Ukraine needs help in strengthening its air defense,” Svyrydenko wrote on social media. “This is only way to save our people and our cities.”
Corruption Scandal Unfolds in Kyiv
In a separate development unrelated to the fighting, a Kyiv court has ordered 60 days of pretrial detention for Andriy Yermak, the former chief of staff to President Zelensky. Yermak is the latest high-profile figure implicated in a widening corruption scandal involving a £7.5 million luxury construction project outside the capital.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have named Yermak as a suspect in a money-laundering scheme. The court ruled that he could be released on bail of £2.35 million ($3.2 million) provided he wears an electronic tag. Following the hearing, Yermak denied the allegations, which his lawyer described as “baseless.”
“I’m staying in Ukraine. I have nothing to hide,” Yermak stated, though he admitted he did not personally possess the funds required for bail and would seek assistance from friends and acquaintances. He confirmed his intention to appeal the detention order.
The dual crises of renewed aerial warfare and internal political instability highlight the precarious situation facing Ukraine as it navigates the aftermath of the failed ceasefire and intensifying Russian aggression.
