Deutsche Welle

Russian attacks have forced many Ukrainians to take refuge in bomb shelters overnight. Photo: AFP
Russian strikes hit Kyiv city early on Thursday, killing two, Ukrainian officials said. Thirteen others were injured and several fires blazed as drones and missiles attacked the capital.

"Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouse facilities, office and non-residential buildings are on fire," head of Kyiv`s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, said on the Telegram app.  

"After returning home from shelters, keep your windows closed — there is a lot of smoke," Tkachenko said.

Authorities said six districts had been impacted, especially the Shevchenkivskyi district known for its restaurants, bars and art galleries.

Moscow has not yet commented on the attacks. This comes right after Russia made a record number of overnight drone attacks on Ukraine.

Russia has ramped up attacks on Ukraine in recent days, forcing many to seek safety in bomb shelters overnight.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged steadfast support for Ukraine at the "Ukraine Recovery Conference" attended by Kyiv`s allies being held Thursday in Rome.

"I have two messages, one goes to Moscow, to President [Vladimir] Putin," Merz said.

"The message is quite simple: We will not give up," Merz emphasized to applause from those gathered.

The conference is being held for the fourth year in a row, and was first convened in 2022 following Russia`s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

Merz said his second message was to Washington DC, to US President Donald Trump.

"Stay with us and stay with the Europeans," Merz said.  "We are on the same page," the German leader stressed.

Trump has signaled frustration with Putin, as the US president tries to close a deal to bring the the war to an end, even as Russian aerial bombardments on Ukrainian cities continue unabated.

Merz also told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Germany`s support for Ukraine is "unwavering."