UNSC Condemns Largest Russian Drone Strike Killing 24 Kyiv Civilians

Following a major Russian aerial attack on Kyiv involving over 400 drones and missiles, which resulted in at least 24 deaths including the first American civilian casualty, the UN Security Council convened to address the escalating conflict in Ukraine. The United States strongly condemned Russia's use of cluster munitions and the large-scale drone assaults, urging Russia to cease attacks on civilians and engage in good faith negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace, while also calling on countries like China to halt exports of dual-use goods to Russia and condemning Iran's provision of drones to Russia. On the ground, Russia claims to have captured Yablunivka in Ukraine's Sumy region, while Ukrainian forces have reportedly liberated Andriyivka, highlighting ongoing territorial engagements. NATO, cautious about direct military intervention, has focused on supporting Ukraine through bilateral aid and coordination groups like the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group, but tensions exist between the current US administration and European allies over the war's resolution and Ukraine's future security integration. Meanwhile, nuclear safety concerns persist as the IAEA reported that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant remains in cold shutdown due to unresolved issues with cooling water and power supply, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and infrastructural damage. The IAEA emphasized that nuclear operations cannot safely resume while the war continues, underscoring the persistent risks to civilian safety amid the conflict.