On Tuesday, Russian drone and missile strikes hit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people and over 150 injuries, according to reports. The attack, which lasted nearly nine hours, involved more than 440 drones and 32 missiles, marking the most devastating assault on Kyiv this year. Among the casualties was an American citizen, whose identity has not been disclosed by U.S. officials. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the death during a press conference on Wednesday, stating that the department condemns the strikes and extends its condolences to the victims and their families.
Bruce also highlighted the department’s commitment to the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad, saying that it has no higher priority than protecting its nationals in conflict zones. However, she did not provide additional details about the American citizen who was killed, citing respect for the family during this difficult time. The attack coincided with world leaders convening in Canada for the G7 Summit, where President Donald Trump was present for the first day before leaving early due to the growing Iran-Israel conflict.
Trump has been vocal about his stance on Russia, criticizing former President Barack Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for removing Russia from the G8 summit in 2014, which he believes could have prevented the current war. He argued that the exclusion of Russia led to the conflict and that his leadership might have avoided it. Despite his skepticism of Putin’s intentions to end the war, Trump has continued to advocate for peace talks, which have yet to yield a resolution. Meanwhile, the White House is engaging with Congress to amend proposed sanctions against Russia, with discussions ongoing as the conflict in Ukraine shows no sign of ending soon.