A historic theatre in Kyiv prepared to stage a scheduled performance despite suffering damage from a Russian attack that struck part of the Ukrainian capital, highlighting the efforts of cultural institutions to maintain operations during the war.

The attack affected the Lukianivka district, where fire swept through a shopping mall and market complex, leaving significant destruction in the surrounding area. Buildings near the site also sustained damage from the blast.

Among them was the Mala Opera, a small theatre and performance venue located across the street from the damaged shopping centre. In the aftermath of the strike, workers began carrying out emergency repairs to prevent further deterioration of the building.

Oleksandr Buryma, the venue’s chief technician, said crews were installing plastic sheeting over shattered windows as a temporary measure. According to Buryma, the building’s roof had also been damaged, while a section of the rear wall was blown out by the impact of the attack.The theatre occupies an early 20th-century structure that has long served as a cultural venue in Kyiv.

Originally established as a community centre for tram workers, the building has evolved into a performance space known for hosting theatre productions and musical events.Despite the damage, management intended to proceed with a scheduled performance on the evening of May 29.

Buryma said the venue was preparing to stage Railroad, a play by U.S. writer Bryan Reynolds that is set during the rise of Nazism.The decision to continue with the production reflected a broader effort by Ukrainian cultural institutions to preserve public life and artistic activity despite the challenges posed by the conflict.

Throughout the war, theatres, museums and cultural organisations across Ukraine have sought to remain operational where security conditions permit.At the Mala Opera, the immediate focus remained on stabilising the damaged building while ensuring the scheduled performance could proceed.

Temporary repairs were underway as staff worked to address the effects of the strike and maintain the venue’s ability to host audiences.

The scene underscored the impact of the conflict on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, where attacks have periodically damaged residential, commercial and cultural sites. It also illustrated the determination of cultural workers to continue operations despite the risks and disruptions associated with the war.

As repair work continued around the venue and evidence of the attack remained visible across the district, theatre staff prepared for the evening performance, seeking to keep the stage active even as recovery efforts unfolded outside the building.

In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry said Iran had launched nearly 3,000 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones toward the UAE and other countries across the region, causing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

The ministry described the attacks as a violation of state sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security and stability.

“The UAE has condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked Iranian attacks and threats targeting the UAE and countries across the region,” the statement said.

The ministry added that all measures taken by the UAE were defensive in nature and aimed at protecting civilians, infrastructure and national security interests.
It said attempts to pressure the UAE through “coercion” or what it called “malicious narratives and allegations” would not alter the country’s policies or undermine its sovereign decision-making.

The statement came after weeks of heightened regional tensions triggered by a military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28.

The conflict prompted retaliatory strikes by Tehran targeting Gulf states, Israel and US assets across the region, raising concerns over the security of energy infrastructure and maritime routes.

A ceasefire announced on April 7 has largely held despite sporadic skirmishes and continued diplomatic strain between regional powers.

The UAE has repeatedly called for de-escalation and regional stability while maintaining close security coordination with Western allies and Gulf partners amid the ongoing tensions.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said rescuers were still clearing debris and searching for survivors in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district after hours-long attacks overnight caused extensive destruction to apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure.

“Rescuers continue clearing the rubble and searching for people in the building in Darnytskyi district non-stop,” the emergency service said in a statement posted on Telegram, revising an earlier reported death toll of 16.

Images released by Ukrainian authorities showed burned vehicles, shattered residential buildings and emergency personnel working through debris in heavily damaged neighborhoods.

The latest strikes marked one of the deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months as Russia continues intensified aerial bombardments targeting cities and infrastructure across Ukraine amid the prolonged conflict.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilian areas during large-scale missile and drone assaults, while Russia maintains that its strikes are directed at military and strategic infrastructure.

The attacks came as fighting along multiple front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine remained intense, with both sides continuing long-range strikes deep beyond battlefield positions.

The UAE blamed Iran for the attack, which occurred on Monday at an energy installation along the Gulf coast. Iranian state television said the Islamic republic had “no pre-planned program” to target oil facilities in the UAE.

India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi “calls for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians,” adding that the country supports efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

He also urged “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law.”The incident comes amid broader disruptions to energy supply chains since the onset of conflict in the Middle East in late February. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, typically sources about half of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments.

Analysts have warned that India’s reliance on imported energy, combined with relatively modest strategic reserves compared with major consumers such as China, leaves it exposed to price volatility and supply shocks linked to regional instability.Shipping and import data indicate that New Delhi has moved to offset disruptions by diversifying supply, including increased reliance on Russian crude.

This shift follows earlier efforts to reduce dependence on such imports amid pressure from U.S. trade measures.India has reiterated its readiness to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at stabilizing the region, as tensions continue to threaten key maritime routes and energy infrastructure.

Romania’s defense ministry said Russian forces had resumed drone attacks against civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine near the river border with Romania in Tulcea County early Saturday, raising concerns over repeated violations of Romanian airspace since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Emergency services said the drone came down in a residential area and may have carried an explosive charge, triggering a large-scale security response.“A drone crashed in a populated area,” emergency officials said in a statement, adding that authorities were assessing the risk posed by a “possible explosive charge.”

No casualties were reported, but an electricity pole and an outbuilding attached to a house were damaged. Gas supplies in the surrounding area were suspended as a precaution while bomb disposal teams secured the site.Romanian authorities evacuated more than 200 people from nearby homes as security personnel cordoned off the impact zone.

Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has repeatedly reported drone fragments landing on its territory during Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube, particularly near the ports of Reni and Izmail.

Local media reported that this was the first instance in which debris from a Russian drone caused material damage inside Romanian territory, marking a significant escalation in the spillover risk from the war.Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned Russia’s ambassador following the incident, according to an official statement, signaling Bucharest’s continued diplomatic push against repeated airspace intrusions.

Romania adopted legislation in 2025 authorizing its military to shoot down drones that enter national airspace, although officials have not yet used those powers in any reported incident.

The latest crash underscores growing security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank as Russian strikes near Ukraine’s western and southern borders increasingly risk direct consequences for neighboring alliance members.

The Danube region has become a frequent target since Ukraine expanded its use of river export routes after repeated attacks on Black Sea shipping infrastructure.

Saturday’s incident is likely to intensify pressure on Romanian and NATO defense planners to strengthen air surveillance and rapid interception capabilities along the alliance’s southeastern border.

In a joint statement issued during a ministerial meeting hosted by France, the group said it had emphasized the need to minimize harm to civilian populations, regional partners and essential infrastructure amid intensifying hostilities.

The statement reflected mounting concern among major economies over the humanitarian and systemic risks posed by the conflict.

The ministers underscored that safeguarding non-combatants and public infrastructure remains a priority under international norms, as recent strikes have reportedly affected energy facilities and other civilian-linked assets in the region. They stressed coordination among allies and partners to contain spillover effects.

The G7 highlighted potential disruptions to global supply chains, including energy, fertilizer and broader commercial flows, noting that such shocks could have direct consequences for domestic economies and consumers.

The ministers said efforts were underway to mitigate these risks through coordinated policy responses and international norms.

The statement also reiterated the importance of restoring safe and toll-free maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.

Any prolonged disruption in the corridor could exacerbate volatility in energy markets and strain international trade routes.

The G7 comprises the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, along with the European Union.