Russia’s ambassador to the UK has been called into the Foreign Office after a devastating wave of strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, left at least 21 people dead — including four children.
According to Ukrainian officials, the overnight assault involved hundreds of drones and more than 30 missiles. Homes were destroyed, dozens were injured, and even cultural institutions were hit. Among the damaged buildings was the British Council’s office, which promotes UK culture and education abroad. One staff member was injured but is now stable in hospital.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that Ambassador Andrei Kelin was summoned on Thursday afternoon. He condemned the attacks, saying: “The killing and destruction must stop.”
In a statement, the British Council said its Kyiv office was “severely damaged” and will remain closed for now, though its work with Ukrainian partners will continue despite delays.
The EU’s delegation building in Kyiv was also struck, though no one was hurt. Both the UK and the EU described the attacks as senseless and deliberate escalations.
Following the meeting with Kelin, the Foreign Office warned that Russia’s actions would only “harden UK and Western resolve to support Ukraine.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Moscow of “sabotaging hopes of peace,” while the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said Russia’s decision to target civilian areas and international offices showed it was mocking peace efforts.
The overnight strikes marked one of the heaviest combined assaults on Kyiv in weeks — leaving families grieving, communities displaced, and diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West pushed even further. Photo by Matt Brown from London, England, Wikimedia commons.
