Russia launched its most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began in February 2022, targeting Kyiv’s government headquarters for the first time and killing at least four people, Ukrainian officials reported. The overnight barrage, involving over 800 drones and 13 missiles, set the Cabinet of Ministers building ablaze, marking a significant escalation in Russia’s air campaign.
The attack, which unfolded early Sunday, damaged the roof and upper floors of the government building in Kyiv’s historic Pecherskyi district. Ukrainian air defenses downed 747 drones and four missiles, but 54 drones and nine missiles struck 33 locations across the country, including residential areas and infrastructure in cities like Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, and Odesa. The assault left 44 people injured and caused widespread fires, with emergency crews working through the morning to extinguish blazes.
Unprecedented Scale of Attack
Ukraine’s Air Force described the assault as the largest single drone and missile strike since Russia’s full-scale invasion. “Russia launched 810 drones and decoys, alongside 13 missiles, in a deliberate escalation,” said air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat, confirming the attack’s historic scale to The Associated Press. The barrage surpassed a July 2025 assault, previously the war’s largest, and targeted critical infrastructure and civilian areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as a “deliberate crime” that prolongs the war. “Such killings, when diplomacy could have started, show Russia’s intent to terrorize,” Zelenskyy said in an online statement, urging allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and impose stricter sanctions on Moscow.
Government Building Hit
For the first time, Russia directly damaged a key government building, the seat of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers. “The roof and upper floors were struck, and firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze,” said Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Telegram. “We will rebuild, but lost lives cannot be restored.” She called for global action against Russia’s aggression, emphasizing sanctions on its oil and gas sectors.
Associated Press reporters observed smoke rising from the government building, though it remains unclear whether the damage resulted from a direct hit or debris from intercepted missiles. The strike’s targeting of Kyiv’s administrative heart signals a shift, as Russia had previously spared central government structures.
Civilian Toll and International Response
The attack claimed at least four lives, including an infant in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, where a four-story apartment building was hit, according to Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. “The loss of a child underscores the brutality of these strikes,” Tkachenko said. At least 44 others were injured nationwide.
International leaders swiftly condemned the assault. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of “striking indiscriminately” and deepening its “logic of war and terror.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attacks “cowardly,” stating, “Putin believes he can act with impunity. He is not serious about peace.”
Escalation Amid Diplomatic Stagnation
The strike follows failed peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska last month, increasing pressure on Western allies to respond. Zelenskyy, who spoke with Macron on Sunday, said, “Every additional air defense system saves civilians from these vile strikes. The world must act.”
On X, users expressed outrage, with one post stating, “Russia’s attack on Kyiv’s government building is a new low in this war. Time for stronger global action.” The sentiment reflects growing calls for enhanced support for Ukraine.
Looking Ahead
As Ukraine assesses the damage, the attack underscores the urgent need for stronger air defenses and international cooperation. Analysts warn that Russia’s targeting of government infrastructure could signal further escalation, challenging Kyiv’s resilience and global resolve to counter Moscow’s aggression.
