The Lithuanian Embassy in Kyiv was damaged in the early hours of Saturday after two Russian missiles exploded a few meters from the diplomatic building during a massive night bombardment of the Ukrainian capital, which claimed the lives of at least nine people.
One missile landed 10 meters from the embassy, and the other 150 meters away, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced in a video statement. Windows in the embassy building were shattered, solar collectors were destroyed, and debris was scattered across the courtyard, but none of the staff were injured.
Lithuania summons Russian representative
"Today we will summon a representative of the Russian embassy to express our protest," Budrys stated. According to him, the attack clearly shows that Russia has no real intention of stopping its terror against Ukraine. "Only continuous support for Ukraine, strengthening its resilience, and increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions can stop it - so that it finally sits down at the negotiating table."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that the embassy building sustained minor damage and expressed solidarity with Lithuania. "Russian terror spares no one and recognizes no international norms, including the provisions of the Vienna Convention," he wrote on X.
Massive destruction across Kyiv
The attack affected far more sites beyond the embassy. Strikes hit the municipal medical transport enterprise "Kyivmedspetstrans" twice - five ambulances burned down, and another 20 vehicles serving medical facilities in the city were damaged. Four buildings on the depot's territory were partially destroyed.
According to DW data, as a result of the missile strikes on residential blocks and a five-story multi-family building, at least nine people died and 23 were injured, including four children. Censor.NET reported later that the number of injured had risen to 30.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that during the night, Russia sent 35 missiles, 27 of which were ballistic, as well as 185 strike drones. Due to a shortage of interceptors for "Patriot" systems, only one ballistic missile was shot down. "Every package of interceptors for ballistic missiles saves the lives of our people," Zelenskyy said. "And every night without them turns into new victims."
Diplomatic consequences
The strike on the Lithuanian embassy represents a direct hit on the diplomatic infrastructure of a NATO member state in Kyiv, which significantly raises the stakes in the ongoing Russian bombardment of the capital. According to data, 18 residential buildings, a school, and critical infrastructure objects were damaged across seven districts of the city.
Last week, Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham as part of efforts to attract additional support for strengthening Ukraine's air defense.