ISTANBUL 

European leaders and officials on Thursday strongly condemned Russia’s latest overnight strike on Kyiv, which killed at least 12 people, injured dozens, and left the European Union Delegation building in Ukraine severely damaged.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Moscow’s actions once again showed its disregard for peace.

“While the world seeks a path to peace, Russia responds with missiles. The overnight attack on Kyiv shows a deliberate choice to escalate and mock the peace efforts. Russia must stop the killing and negotiate,” she wrote on US social media company X.

European Council President Antonio Costa expressed solidarity with the victims and the EU’s mission in Kyiv.

“Horrified by yet another night of deadly Russian missile attacks on Ukraine. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian victims and also with the staff of @EUDelegationUA, whose building was damaged in this deliberate Russian strike. The EU will not be intimidated. Russia’s aggression only strengthens our resolve to stand with Ukraine and its people,” he said on X.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also voiced concern for EU staff targeted in the assault.

“The staff at the @EUDelegationUA are the EU's voice on the ground in Ukraine. Last night, their offices became a target of another indiscriminate Russian attack during this senseless aggression. My thoughts are with all our team in Kyiv and with the brave people of Ukraine who deserve to live in peace,” she said.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos denounced the strikes as “a clear sign that Russia rejects peace and chooses terror.”

She stressed the EU’s solidarity with delegation staff and Ukrainian civilians enduring the war.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot noted that not only the EU delegation but also the British Council’s building was hit.

“Russia shows, once more, that it has no genuine will for peace. It chooses terror, destruction, and lies over dialogue. Belgium stands in full solidarity. We will not be silent. Ukraine will not stand alone,” he wrote on X.

Norway’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack in a statement on X.

“Russia has once again brutally shelled Kyiv with missiles and drones. Ukraine's brave civilian population is suffering from Russia's illegal aggression. We urge Russia to end its war immediately. Our response is even stronger support for Ukraine,” it said.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also condemned the strikes, confirming Poland’s embassy staff were safe.

"Putin’s rockets killed Ukrainian civilians tonight and damaged the EU Delegation building. In our embassy, everyone is safe and sound. This is how Russia fights for peace," he said.

At least 12 people, including one child, were killed and 48 others injured in a Russian attack on Kyiv early Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The Kyiv City Military Administration said the number of casualties increased to 48 as of 9.34 am local time (0634GMT), with 12 confirmed deaths.

The Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office reported that the consequences of the morning strike were recorded in eight districts of the capital, including Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Solomyanskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Holosiivskyi, Obolonskyi, Svyatoshynskyi and Desnyanskyi.

In the Darnytskyi district, part of a five-story residential building was destroyed, and rescue operations are underway to search for people trapped under the rubble. Windows in nearby high-rise buildings were shattered, cars were damaged, and private homes sustained destruction, the prosecutor’s office said.