Israeli Boy, 14, Killed in Russian Drone Strike on Kyiv

A 14-year-old boy holding Israeli citizenship was killed Friday morning when a Russian drone struck a residential building in central Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

The strike hit the family's apartment in the Pechersk district of central Kyiv at around 8 a.m. local time. The boy's mother was wounded in the attack and evacuated for medical treatment.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the Israeli consul in Kyiv and the Consular Affairs Division's department for Israelis in distress abroad have been handling the case since the report was received, are in continuous contact with the family, and are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time.

According to current information, the victim held Israeli citizenship. His family made aliyah to Israel in the past and returned to Ukraine approximately 20 years ago.

The Israeli consul, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), and Chabad emissaries have been working on the matter over the past hour. The FJCU said in a statement: "We condemn the Russian attacks on Ukraine, which cause casualties every day. This is the fifth month of the holidays during the war, and the communities are trying to maintain routine in the shadow of this incomprehensible reality. We pray for peace and complete redemption soon."

The Russian attack on Kyiv comes against the backdrop of a significant escalation in fighting between the two countries. In recent days, there have been reports of Breslov chassidim detained at border crossings on their way back from Uman after Rosh Hashanah.

Patriot missile battery (Photo: German Army NATO mission)

Jewish communities in Ukraine continue to cope with the harsh reality of the war. About two weeks ago, a severe food shortage was reported among the communities following the security escalation and the shutdown of retail chains.