Russia’s overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital damaged the EU delegation’s building in the city, the EU Commission said on Thursday.
The delegation’s staff were safe, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. She called on Russia to stop its “indiscriminatory attacks on civilian infrastructure and join negotiations for a just and lasting peace”.
I'm outraged by the missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing men, women and children.
And damaging our EU diplomatic mission.
My thoughts go to our brave staff.
Russia's strikes on Kyiv will only strengthen Europe's unity and Ukraine's defiance ↓ https://t.co/VzuBWIPxzH
The Russian attack killed 10 people in other parts of the city, wounded 38 and damaged buildings across seven districts, Ukrainian officials said.
EU Commissioner Marta Kos said the EU building had been damaged during strikes on civilian areas.
“I strongly condemn these brutal attacks, a clear sign that Russia rejects peace and chooses terror. Our full solidarity goes to EU staff, their families, and all Ukrainians enduring this aggression.”
Statement by President von der Leyen on Russia’s strikes on Kyiv
I am outraged by the attack on Kyiv, also hitting our EU office. This was the deadliest drone and missile attack on the capital since July. As you can see behind me on the screen, it was an attack also on our Delegation. I just spoke with our deputy ambassador and am relieved that none of our staff were harmed.
Last night’s attack struck in close proximity of the diplomatic mission, the representation of our Union. Two missiles hit in a distance of 50 metres of the Delegation within 20 seconds. This is another grim reminder of what is at stake. It shows that the Kremlin will stop at nothing to terrorise Ukraine, blindly killing civilians – men, women and children and even targeting the European Union.
This is why we are keeping maximum pressure on Russia. That means tightening our sanction regime. We will come forward soon with our 19th package of hard-biting sanctions. In parallel, we are advancing the work on the Russian frozen assets to contribute to Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. And of course we are ensuring strong, unwavering support to Ukraine, our neighbour, partner, friend, and future Member.
Tomorrow I will travel to the seven Member States that are strengthening and protecting our external borders with Russia and Belarus. I want to express the EU’s full solidarity with them and share the progress we are making in building a strong European defence industry, especially through our joint defence instrument SAFE.
Finally, I want to thank our brave staff in the EU delegation in Ukraine. They are doing outstanding work under extremely difficult conditions. I will deliver this message to them in person when I next travel to Kyiv.
Photo: Some of the destruction from Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
