31 confirmed dead in Kyiv attacks, Zelenskyy says, as he calls for strengthened sanctions on Russia
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just issued another update, saying that 31 people were confirmed dead, including five children, as the search and rescue operations were concluded this morning.
He said:
“Once again, this vile strike by Russia demonstrates the need for increased pressure on Moscow and additional sanctions. No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, sanctions do work – and they must be strengthened.
They must target everything that enables such attacks to continue. It is also crucial that the world does not remain silent about them.
I thank everyone who has supported our people. We value the fact that President Trump, European leaders, and other partners clearly see what is happening and condemn Russia.”
Zelenskyy added that in July alone, Russia used over 3,800 dones and 260 missiles, including 128 ballistic, against Ukraine.
“This can only be stopped through joint efforts – by America, Europe, and other global actors. Every engagement matters. Every day matters,” he said.
Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Ukraine talks with senior security officials from UK, Germany, France, Italy on Russian attacks, next steps with US
Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s top aide, said he spoke with senior security officials from the UK, France, Germany and Italy this morning, discussing the aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv and next steps in relations with the US.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for their sincere words of sympathy to our nation in connection with the latest barbaric shelling of Kyiv. There are already 31 dead, including five children. Russia continues its terror against civilians. We must strengthen our joint response,” he said.
The officials confirmed “positive signals” from the White House regarding its planned response to Russia, including “sanctions on Russian oil and secondary tariffs.”
They also discussed “the preparation of a historic bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the US” on security, which would be co-financed by European allies.
Share31 confirmed dead in Kyiv attacks, Zelenskyy says, as he calls for strengthened sanctions on Russia
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just issued another update, saying that 31 people were confirmed dead, including five children, as the search and rescue operations were concluded this morning.
He said:
“Once again, this vile strike by Russia demonstrates the need for increased pressure on Moscow and additional sanctions. No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, sanctions do work – and they must be strengthened.
They must target everything that enables such attacks to continue. It is also crucial that the world does not remain silent about them.
I thank everyone who has supported our people. We value the fact that President Trump, European leaders, and other partners clearly see what is happening and condemn Russia.”
Zelenskyy added that in July alone, Russia used over 3,800 dones and 260 missiles, including 128 ballistic, against Ukraine.
“This can only be stopped through joint efforts – by America, Europe, and other global actors. Every engagement matters. Every day matters,” he said.
Share28 dead in Kyiv strikes after two more bodies retrieved, prime minister says
Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that the death doll has risen to 28 this morning, after two more bodies, including of a two-year-old child, were retrieved from the rubbles.
She said:
“Entire families murdered in their homes, including children.
The world possesses every instrument required to ensure Russia is brought to justice. What is lacking is not power — but will.”
ShareMorning opening: Death toll in Kyiv rises to 26 as Ukraine calls for UN security council meeting
Jakub Krupa
The death toll from Thursday’s Russian attack on Kyiv has risen to 26 with over 150 injured, making it one of the deadliest attacks on the capital since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.
People tread on the rubble outside an apartment block in the Holosiivskyi district damaged by the Russian missile and drone attack, Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Ukrinform/Shutterstock
Responding to the attack, Ukraine called for an emergency meeting of the UN security council this afternoon as it seeks to unite its allies and ramp up pressure on Russia to end the war.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the meeting, scheduled for afternoon European time, will be a platform for countries to make it clear where they stand.
“Putin rejects peace efforts and wants to prolong his war. And the world has the necessary strength to stop him – by united pressure and principled position in favor of a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire,” he said.
Andriy Yermak, the most senior aide to president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, did not mince his words reacting to the news this morning as he spoke of “Russian murderers.”
US president Donald Trump, who recently set a new deadline for Russia to end the invasion until 8 August, told journalists that it was “disgusting what they are doing.”
“We’re going to put sanctions. I don’t know that sanctions bother him,” the US president said, referring to Putin.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who currently is in Israel, will be told to visit Russia next, he added.
Elsewhere, I will be keeping an eye on the latest on the EU-US trade, after Trump signed his executive order, but delayed the effects of sanctions by a week, until 7 August. You can follow market reactions on our business blog, too.
I will bring you all key updates from across Europe here.
It’s Friday, 1 August 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.