Zelensky has urged a unified and stronger Western response after a deadly overnight barrage of Russian missiles and drones on Kyiv killed 23 people, including four children, and wounded dozens, prompting a day of mourning on August 29 as peace efforts remain stalled amid continued strikes across Ukraine despite ceasefire pushes from Washington. The attack, among the deadliest in the capital since 2022, carved a five‑story crater in a residential block and followed waves of nearly 600 drones and over 30 missiles launched from Wednesday night into Thursday, with officials decrying Moscow’s defiance of diplomacy and calling for tighter sanctions and concrete security guarantees from European partners. Zelensky pressed EU and regional leaders for a strong joint signal to bring Putin to negotiations while insisting Russia face accountability for repeated civilian casualties, including children.