Many Dead as Russian Missile Barrage Causes Carnage in Kyiv

Latest Developments

• ‘Important that Everyone Sees This’: Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage mainly targeting Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv on April 24, resulting in the greatest number of casualties since the summer of 2024. Moscow dispatched 70 missiles and 145 drones, killing at least 12 people and injuring 90, some of whom remain trapped under rubble. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cut short his visit to South Africa after the strikes, saying, “It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening.”
• Trump’s Mild Rebuke to Putin: President Donald Trump stated that he was “not happy” with the strikes, adding, “Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.” On April 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 30-hour ceasefire to mark the Easter holiday before promptly breaking it with a round of attacks on the southern region of Kherson.
• ‘Russia is the Aggressor Here’: The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declared that the strikes demonstrated that Russia isn’t pursuing peace but rather is making “a mockery of it,” while British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here.” London hosted a meeting of senior officials from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Ukraine on April 23 to discuss a U.S.-proposed peace deal that would compel Kyiv to accept Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

FDD Expert Response

“By now, it should be obvious even to the most wishful thinkers that Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace. His goal — for which he’s willing to spill rivers of both Ukrainian and Russian blood — is victory through conquering Ukraine and turning it into a colony like Chechnya or a vassal state like Belarus. If President Trump recognizes this reality, he will do what he’s long threatened: apply serious pressure on Putin to achieve a ceasefire. That’s not synonymous with peace. It is, however, what is achievable now.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“Russia’s latest missile and drone barrage is a stark reminder that Moscow, not Kyiv, is the party responsible for starting this war and the party that should be held responsible for ending it. Yet while President Donald Trump has exhorted the Kremlin to make peace, he still has yet to bring tangible pressure to bear on Russia. This is not the path to a good deal.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“Russia’s attack on Ukraine tells you all you need to know about Putin’s peace plans. He isn’t interested in good-faith negotiations. His ultimate goal is to subjugate Ukraine, with the Baltic states next in line. Putin is just buying more time, and a ceasefire would allow him to reposition his military and continue with his imperial ambitions.” — Ivana Stradner, Research Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“Yes, step up the pace on Ukraine peace — with fresh consequences if Putin resists,” by John Hardie

“‘Within a Matter of Days’: Rubio Warns U.S. Could Walk Away From Russia-Ukraine Negotiations,” FDD Flash Brief

“Putin’s Palm Sunday Attack Demands A Response,” by Peter Doran and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery

“A ‘Reverse Kissinger’ would be a fool’s errand,” by Clifford D. May