Ukraine War: Children Killed in Russian Airstrikes
Russian airstrikes killed at least 12 people,including three children,in Ukraine,marking a devastating escalation of the
Deadly Airstrikes Escalate Russia-Ukraine War, Casualties Mount
Updated May 25, 2025
At least 12 people, including three children, died in Ukraine following a massive wave of Russian aerial attacks, marking the most intense bombardment as the war began in February 2022. The Russia-Ukraine war saw a notable escalation as Russian forces launched 367 drones and missiles,striking over 30 cities and villages,according to Ukrainian air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat.
Explosions rocked Kyiv overnight, and families returning to a village near the capital found their homes destroyed. In the Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv, emergency services reported the deaths of three children, ages 8, 12, and 17.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks and criticized the West’s response. He asserted that the ”silence of America” emboldens russian President Vladimir Putin and urged Western partners to impose stronger sanctions on Moscow.
“These were purposeful strikes on ordinary cities,” Zelensky wrote on X, noting that Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and other regions were targeted. He added, “Each such terrorist Russian strike is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia.”
There was no immediate response from Moscow regarding the strikes.
The aerial attacks occurred hours before russia and Ukraine finalized a major prisoner exchange. Each side brought home 303 soldiers, following the release of 307 combatants and civilians on Saturday and 390 on Friday.
Zelensky confirmed the exchange, stating that “303 Ukrainian defenders are home,” including members of various armed forces and services.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii sybiha described a “sleepless night” due to the widespread aerial assault, which caused fires as drone debris struck homes and businesses.
In Markhalivka,near Kyiv,residents returned to find their homes burned. Liubov Fedorenko, 76, compared the devastation to that seen in bakhmut and Mariupol. Ivan Fedorenko, 80, lamented the loss of their dogs, who perished in the fire.
What’s next
As the conflict continues, the international community will likely focus on further diplomatic efforts and potential sanctions to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.