12:48, Thu, Aug 28, 2025 Updated: 12:49, Thu, Aug 28, 2025
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A British Council building was struck by Russia (Image: Getty)
The Russian ambassador to the UK is to be summoned by the Foreign Office, Sky News has reported. The deadly overnight attack on Ukraine launched by Russia killed at least 15 people, including four children.
Among the many buildings struck during the attack was a British Council building. Speaking after the attack, the group's chief executive, Scott McDonald, said their guard for the building was injured but in a "stable" condition. He added: "At the insistence of my amazing colleagues, we will continue operations in Ukraine today wherever possible. Their resilience is awe-inspiring and I am deeply thankful they are all safe." Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer lashed out at Vladimir Putin for the attack, saying: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building. Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end."
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'All designated objects were hit', Russia says
Russia’s Ministry of Defence has said it carried out a strike against military air bases and companies from Ukraine’s military-industrial complex using long-range weapons, including Kinzhal missiles.
It said in a statement: "All designated objects were hit".
The ministry also said it shot down 102 Ukrainian drones overnight, mostly in the country’s southwest.
A drone attack sparked a blaze at the Afipsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, according to local officials. A second fire was reported at the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in the Samara region.
Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck refineries and other oil infrastructure in recent weeks in an attempt to weaken Russia's war economy.
Fuel stations in some Russian regions have run dry and prices spiked as a result.
EU president Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union delegation building in Kyiv was also damaged during Russia's attacks but staff were not harmed.
Ursula von der Leyen says staff were unharmed (Image: Getty)
British Council says staff are safe and its work in Ukraine continues
A British Council spokesperson has said the organisation's office in Kyiv was "severely damaged" and will remain closed to the public until further notice.
They added: "Thankfully, our colleagues are all safe and our work with our Ukrainian partners in education and culture will continue uninterrupted."
The British Council operates around the world, championing cultural ties and education.
It aims to support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
The British Council has worked in Ukraine for 30 years and is currently helping to train more than 15,000 teachers in the country in techniques to help young children living with trauma.
Russia chooses ballistics over diplomacy, Zelensky says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia is choosing ballistics instead of the negotiating table.
He said: "We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions."
Russia's attack killed at least 15 people (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the "senseless" Russian strikes.
He said Russian leader Vladimir Putin is "sabotaging" hopes of peace.
The Prime Minister posted on X: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building.
"Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end."
Rescue workers have been pulling bodies from the rubble (Image: Getty)
Russia bombarded Kyiv with drones and missiles earlier today, including a rare strike in the city centre.
The attacks have killed at least 15 people and wounded 48, according to local authorities.
It is the first major Russian attack on Kyiv in weeks as US-led peace efforts to end the war struggle to gain traction.
Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys and 31 missiles of different types across the country, according to Ukraine's Air Force. It is one of the war's largest aerial attacks.
Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s city administration, said four children aged between two and 17 were among the dead.
The numbers are expected to rise. Rescue teams were on site to pull people trapped underneath the rubble.
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Kyiv attacks and their aftermath.
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