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Russia Strikes Kyiv With 167 Drones, Kills 7

9/5/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched missiles and 167 drones at Kyiv and Boryspil airports overnight.
The attack killed at least seven people and injured 51.
Zelensky claimed the strikes were retaliation for talks about U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day pause on Kyiv strikes starting midnight (2100 GMT).

History

Historical Context

In February 2014, unmarked Russian forces seized Crimea’s parliament and airports, and on 28 February about 1,400 Spetsnaz troops landed at Gvardeyskoye air base, enabling Moscow to annex the peninsula. The annexation sparked a pro-Russian insurgency in Donbas and set a pattern of Russian military pressure that resurfaces today as President Volodymyr Zelensky condemns a fresh wave of drones and missiles over Kyiv.

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Story summary

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched missiles and 167 drones at Kyiv and Boryspil airports overnight.
The attack killed at least seven people and injured 51.
Zelensky claimed the strikes were retaliation for talks about U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day pause on Kyiv strikes starting midnight (2100 GMT).

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