One Dead, Ten Injured as Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv Dormitory and Other Civilian Sites

Russian air attacks hit Kyiv late on October 26, striking a university dormitory and other civilian locations and killing at least one person. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by urging Ukraine's partners to give the country the "proper tools" to defend itself.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 10 people were wounded, "most of whom were students from a university dormitory." The affected school was identified as the State University of Trade and Economics, one of the capital's largest, with more than 15,000 students.

The assault came shortly before a cease-fire negotiated by the United States was due to begin in the eastern city of Oleshky. It also came as a bipartisan group of American lawmakers pressed the White House to do more to help defend Ukraine.

In a social media post, Zelenskyy said constant threats and strikes that can hit cities and villages at any moment make delays in air defense deliveries harmful. "Artificial delays in providing air defense to Ukraine help terror," he wrote.

He added that Ukraine needs the means to destroy Russian ballistic missile launchers, calling it the most effective way to save lives. He said the world should see that Russia is showing only a desire to kill and keep fighting.

In Washington, Republicans and Democrats have challenged President Donald Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian energy imports. They are also seeking guarantees that Kyiv will keep access to vital American military and intelligence support. Through legislation, congressional inquiries and appeals to the administration, they have warned that steps favoring Moscow or disrupting Ukraine's battlefield capabilities could harm US national security, weaken congressional authority and prolong the war.

The pushback followed the administration's authorization of transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, and reports that Ukraine's access to SpaceX's Starlink and military-grade Starshield satellite communications had been restricted. Ukrainian officials said the disruptions affected military operations, though they have said in recent days that connection speeds were restored. It remains unclear who imposed the restrictions.

For several months, Zelenskyy has asked the United States and other allies to increase deliveries of key defense systems such as Patriot missiles, as Russia launches ballistic missiles and drones in almost nightly barrages. Last week he said Ukraine was still waiting for previously agreed deliveries of interceptors for its Patriot systems.

Russian officials deny targeting civilian infrastructure in the war, which began when the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.