Russia’s deadly missile strike on Kyiv killed 18, damaged the British Council’s office, seen by Putin as a spy hub, in a deliberate escalation, Western leaders say.
Russia unleashed a devastating assault on Kyiv overnight on August 28, with missiles and drones striking the British Council’s office while killing at least 18 people, including four children, in other parts of the Ukrainian city.
The strike, one of the deadliest in months, also hit the EU Delegation building nearby, sparking fury from Western leaders who slammed it as a deliberate escalation. To Brits, the British Council is a harmless promoter of UK culture, but to Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin it’s a sinister spy hub hell-bent on crushing Russian identity.
The attack saw two missiles slam into the British Council’s building on Zhylyanska Street at 5:40am, just 20 seconds apart, leaving it severely damaged, according to the Council’s Facebook statement.
A security guard was injured but stable, said CEO Scott McDonald on X. No staff were harmed, but the office is closed indefinitely. The barrage involved 629 drones and missiles and was the second-largest of the war, targeting residential areas, a shopping centre and an Intercity train, Ukrainian officials reported.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the senseless strikes, writing on X: Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace.
This bloodshed must end. Foreign Secretary David Lammy summoned Russia’s ambassador Andrey Kelin, demanding answers, stating via the Foreign Office: “Russia’s attacks are an escalation and deeply irresponsible.”
The EU also summoned Russia’s envoy in Brussels, with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling it on X a deliberate choice to escalate and mock peace efforts.
The British Council’s head in Ukraine, Colm McGivern, avoided speculating on whether Russian forces deliberately targeted his organization’s offices during overnight attacks on Kyiv.
Speaking on the incident, McGivern told BBC Radio 4′” What I do think is intentional “is Russia’s continued attacks on education and cultural infrastructure in Ukraine.”
“The British Council is steadfastly determined that we will continue to support… education and cultural links for Ukraine with the UK.”
Russia’s feud with the British Council began 17 years ago. In 2007, it closed the Council’s St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg offices, citing tax issues. In 2008, then-President Dmitry Medvedev called it Britain’s secret weapon for espionage, quoted in Russian media.
By 2018, Russia banned the Council outright, and in June 2025, it was declared an undesirable organisation, criminalising any Russian contact. Founded in 1934, the British Council promotes UK culture and education.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
#Putin #sees #British #Council #nest #espionage #ambassador #summoned #outrageous #bombing
