Russian missiles have “severely damaged” the British Council offices in Kyiv in Vladimir Putin’s latest brutal attack.
Harrowing footage shows the strike hitting the education and cultural organisation at Zhylyanska Street in the Ukrainian capital, part of a huge overnight attack that killed 15, including four children.
Russian sources celebrated the strike which hit the British Council, and alleged that a dozen people were int he building at the time. This has yet to be confirmed by official sources. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned last night’s “senseless” attack on Kyiv and accused Putin of “killing children and civilians”.
EU President “outraged” by attack
European Commision President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “outraged” by the attack on Kyiv.
She added: “This was the deadliest drone and missile attack on the capital since July… it was attack also on our EU delegation.
“I just spoke with our deputy ambassador and I’m relieved that none of our staff were harmed.”
British Council chief praises colleagues
British Council Chief Executive Scott McDonald praised colleagues following the attack.
In a statement shared to X/Twitter, he said: “Last night, the bombing in Kyiv damaged the British Council offices. Our guard was injured and is shaken but stable.
“At the insistence of my amazing colleagues, we will continue operations in Ukraine today wherever possible. Their resilience is awe-inspiring and I am deeply thankful they are all safe.”
Last night, the bombing in Kyiv damaged the British Council offices. Our guard was injured and is shaken but stable. At the insistence of my amazing colleagues, we will continue operations in Ukraine today wherever possible. Their resilience is awe-inspiring and I am deeply… pic.twitter.com/NFruDdh5rI
— Scott McDonald (@McDonaldScott_) August 28, 2025
EU summons Russia diplomat over attack on delegation
The EU has summoned Russia’s top diplomat in Brussels, Belgium, over an attack on the EU delegation.
EU foreign police spokesperson Anita Hipper said: “I confirm that we will be summoning the Russian chargé d’affaires. This meeting will still take place today, so I can debrief you after that.
“But fact is also that no diplomatic mission should be ever [a] target to two strikes. So this is our response to this question.”
Details on child victims
Ukrainian officials have shared details about three of the four children who were killed in the strikes on Kyiv.
The children were reported to be a girl, 2, a boy, 14, and a girl, 17.
Russians celebrate attack on British Council
Russians have celebrated the attack on the British Council in Kyiv.
A Telegram channel linked to hardline Russian MP Andrey Lugovoy – wanted for murder in Britain over the killing of prominent Putin foe Alexander Litvinenko, 44, with lethal weapons-grade polonium-210 in 2006 – immediately welcomed the strike hitting the British Council.
It also claimed a dozen British “gentlemen” were inside the building – about which there is no confirmation.
What is the British Council in Kyiv?
The British Council in Kyiv is an advisory and education centre in the Ukrainian capital.
It offers English lessons as well as works related to the arts and contributes to social cohesion through lessons in schools.
Keir Starmer slams Putin over attack
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a statement following the attack on Ukraine.
In a post shared to X/Twitter, he said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building. Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end.”
My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building.
Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace.
This bloodshed must end.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 28, 2025
Children among victims in Kyiv attack
Some 15 people, including four children, are understood to have been killed in the brutal attack which was launched against different parts of Kyiv.
More than 45 people were wounded in the attack with local reports saying more were “missing.”
Council statement following attack
A statement today from the council said: “As a result of the night attack on Kyiv, our office suffered significant damage and will remain closed to visitors until further notice.
“Despite possible delays with responses, we continue our work with Ukrainian partners in the fields of education and culture.”
Russian missiles strike British Council in Kyiv
Two Russian missiles have struck the British Council offices in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.