𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that at least 26 people, including children, were killed in Russia’s drone and missile attack on Kyiv.

Ukraine’s interior ministry said the toll was revised after “rescuers retrieved 10 bodies from the rubble of the residential building in Sviatoshynsky district, including the body of a two-year-old child”.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones, targeting more than two dozen locations in Kyiv before dawn on Thursday.

The attack destroyed a building and left 159 people, including 16 children, wounded.

US President Donald Trump has said that Russia’s war in Ukraine is “disgusting”.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said he plans to impose sanctions on Moscow if no agreement can be reached to end the conflict.

Mr Trump said he was not sure whether sanctions would deter Russia.

He has given Russian president Vladimir Putin until 8 August to make a deal or else he will respond with economic pressure.

Ukraine’s parliament has overwhelmingly approved a bill presented by president Volodymyr Zelensky that restores the independence of two of the country’s key anti-corruption watchdogs, reversing his contentious move last week that curbed their power and brought an outcry.

Last week’s measure by Mr Zelensky to place the watchdogs under the oversight of the prosecutor-general prompted rebukes from Ukrainians, the EU and international rights groups. It raised fears that the government could meddle in investigations and potentially shield its supporters from scrutiny.

Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid in the nearly 3½-year all-out war. It’s also an effort that enjoys broad public support.

Kyiv authorities have announced a day of mourning to be held today for the 16 people killed in Russia’s drone and missile attack.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones on Kyiv before dawn on Thursday, killing 16 people, including two children, and wounding well over 100 others, officials in the Ukrainian capital said.

“Tomorrow, August 1, has been declared a day of mourning in Kyiv. In memory of the victims of the enemy’s massive attack on the capital,” Kyiv mayor Vitali Klytschko said on Telegram.

“On this day, flags will be flown at half-mast on all municipal buildings in the city. It is also recommended to fly state flags at half-mast on state and privately owned buildings.”

Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, co-founder of the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said it was likely that battles were continuing near Chasiv Yar.

Russia yesterday claimed it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting. Ukraine denied the claims, calling it propaganda.

“The terrain of Chasiv Yar has favoured the defender. Forested areas, waterways, hills and a varied building stock have enabled Ukraine to conduct a defensive operation lasting over a year, in which the Russians have made minimal monthly progress,” he told Reuters.

Mr Kastehelmi said it was likely that the town’s fall, if confirmed, would create conditions for Russia to advance further in eastern Ukraine, but still only gradually.

“The fall of the city to the enemy is nevertheless a challenging situation for Ukraine, as it will bring the Russians closer to Kostiantynivka, which Russia is now approaching from several directions,” he said.

US president Donald Trump said his special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia after wrapping his Israel visit.

“Yeah, going to Israel and then he’s going to Russia, believe it or not,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House yesterday.

Mr Trump added that he expected to impose sanctions once a new deadline he set earlier this week expires, but did not foresee that it would alter the Russian leader’s behaviour.

“We have about eight days, so yeah, we’re going to put sanctions. I don’t know that sanctions bother him,” he said.

Russia launched a barrage of more than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight, targeting Kyiv, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

One of the missiles hit a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv, destroying parts of it. Ukraine’s national rescue service said the toll rose to 16 after another body had been retrieved from underneath rubble.

The rescue service said 16 of the injured were children, the largest number of children hurt in a single attack on the city since Russia started its full-scale invasion.

“Today the world has once again seen Russia’s response to our desire for peace … Therefore, peace without strength is impossible,” the Ukrainian president said.

Donald Trump issued a stern warning to “failed” former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and urged him to “watch his words” after he ridiculed the U.S. president on social media.

“Russia and the USA do almost no business together,” Trump said in a midnight Truth Social tirade, after attacking India’s close ties with Russia and setting his sights on Medvedev.

“Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory.”

Medvedev, who was handpicked by Vladimir Putin to serve as president in 2008 due to term limits, ridiculed Trump’s recent ultimatum demanding Russia agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.