Russia has launched its largest aerial attack on the country since the war began after hitting Ukraine with 805 drones and decoys, according to Ukrainian officials
Vladimir Putin’s forces have struck a crucial Ukrainian government building, following more lethal attacks which tragically claimed the life of a two-month-old baby.
Russia has launched its largest aerial attack on the country since the war began after hitting Ukraine with 805 drones and decoys, according to Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force.
There were nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes in 37 locations across Ukraine. Debris from downed drones and missiles fell on eight locations. Russia also launched 13 missiles of various types.
A plume of smoke was seen rising from the roof of Kyiv’s cabinet of ministers building, but it was not immediately clear if the smoke was the result of a direct hit or debris, which would mark an escalation in Russia’s air campaign. Russia has so far avoided targeting government buildings in the city centre.
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The building is the home of Ukraine’s Cabinet, housing the offices of its ministers. Police blocked access to the building as fire trucks and ambulances arrived.
Ukrainian officials said two people were killed and at least 17 injured in the attack.
“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” said Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.”
“The world must respond to this destruction not only with words, but with actions. There is a need to strengthen sanctions pressure — primarily against Russian oil and gas,” she said.
The two people killed were a mum and her two-month old child, whose bodies were dug out of the rubble by rescuers, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s city administration.
Russian drones struck a nine-story residential building in Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story residential building in Darnytskyi district, according to Mayor Vitallii Klitschko. Tkachenko said these were direct hits.
Sunday’s attack is the second mass Russian drone and missile attack to target Kyiv in the span of two weeks, as hopes for peace talks fade.