Russia launches massive terror aerial attack on Ukraine amid G7 summit

Russian forces targeted Ukraine with a barrage of drones and a combination of missiles overnight on June 17 that primarily focused on Kyiv. At least 15 civilians, including one U.S. citizen, were killed and more than a 100 injured in the capital. 

Rescue operations are still ongoing as of noon on June 17.

An entire entrance of a nine-story residential building was destroyed and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES) said there is a risk of structural collapse. 

“A direct hit demolished the entire entrance, including concrete ceilings in the basement,” the SES reported.

Between 4 and 14 residents who lived there and have lost contact may be trapped under the rubble, according to the Kyiv city military administration.

Twenty-seven locations across various districts of Kyiv came under Russian fire. These included residential buildings, schools, and critical infrastructure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

“More than 2,000 rescuers, police officers, and utility workers have been deployed,” said the State Emergency Service.

In total, Russian forces launched 440 drones and 32 missiles across Ukraine, targeting Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv regions.

While most aerial targets were intercepted by air defenses, strikes were confirmed in 10 locations, with debris and fragments falling in 34 others.

The Ukrainian World Congress strongly condemns Russia’s latest war crime — deliberate, large-scale attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine timed to coincide with the G7 summit. 

“These cynical attacks are part of a calculated campaign of terror aimed at intimidating civilians and undermining international solidarity with Ukraine. We urge the global community to increase pressure on Moscow to stop its aggression and hold it accountable for these crimes,” said UWC President Paul Grod.

Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Andriy Sybiha also condemned the attacks, stating that Russia deliberately chose to launch this large-scale assault during the G7 summit in Canada.

“Russia not only rejects a ceasefire or a leaders’ meeting to find solutions and end the war. It cynically strikes Ukraine’s capital while pretending to seek diplomatic solutions,” Sybiha said.

He added that Putin’s goal is clear: to portray G7 leaders as weak. 

“Only strong steps and real pressure on Moscow can prove him wrong,” Sybiha said.

Russia attacks Ukrainian cities and villages daily. The Ukrainian World Congress publishes news on the largest shelling incidents. More detailed information on the consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, read the Victory Chronicles.