Ukraine says 5 nationals among 9 killed in Saturday’s Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam
Three children among victims, Kyiv says; diplomats coordinating repatriation of bodies; Ukraine’s embassy notes Iranian munitions killing people in both Israel and Ukraine
Iran’s missile attacks on Israel killed five Ukrainian nationals, including three children, in the city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, Kyiv said Sunday.
The five were killed Saturday in the “massive” Iranian strikes when a missile hit a residential building in the city, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
The victims’ bodies were being identified, and Ukrainian diplomats are in close communication with the Israeli police and other agencies to finish the identification process and arrange the repatriation of the bodies, Ukrainian international broadcaster Ukrinform said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately share any additional information.
Nine people were killed when a missile slammed into the building. Nearly 200 others were injured, rescuers said.
Bat Yam has a large community of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
In a statement that did not specifically mention Ukrainian nationals in particular, Ukraine’s embassy in Tel Aviv said it “mourns the consequences of the Iranian attack on Israel.”
“Innocent civilians – especially children – should never be targets of missiles,” the embassy wrote on social media network X.
“We are here in Israel and experiencing this reality alongside you,” it continued. “Unfortunately, we are not the only Ukrainians living this reality, as the Ukrainian people have been facing such circumstances for more than three years.”
Daylight reveals a much clearer image of the impact site in Bat Yam, to the south of Tel-Aviv, where the death toll currently sits at 4 and the injuries at over 200, while around 35 are believed to still be missing beneath the rubble. Search-and-rescue teams with IDF Homefront… pic.twitter.com/ZzC6XB3BMN
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 15, 2025
The embassy was referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022. Russian forces have used Iran-made drones and other weapons to attack Ukraine.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a press briefing at a Group of Seven summit in Kananaskis, Canada, said the gathering should discuss the Iran crisis alongside that of Ukraine.
“The same type of Iranian-designed and -made drones and ballistic missiles are indiscriminately hitting cities in Ukraine and in Israel. As such, these threats need to be addressed together,” she said.
Von der Leyen said she had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and impressed on him the need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran, though she blamedthe conflict on Tehran and its nuclear program.
Iran’s leaders, who are sworn to destroy Israel, have publicly denied seeking nuclear weapons, but have stocked up on 60%-enriched uranium — far above what is necessary for civilian uses, and a short step away from weapons-grade.
Last Friday, Israel launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, citing the immediate and existential threat they posed. It has continued hitting Iran every day since.
Iran responded with missile and drone barrages at Israel. Though most of the attacks have been thwarted by air defenses, some missiles have slipped through, slamming into Israeli cities.
Agencies and Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.