Kiev, Ukraine (AP) – On Sunday, Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine, targeting the capital’s drone and missile facilities, resulting in at least two fatalities and visible smoke billowing from significant government buildings. This marked the largest Russian air assault since the invasion began.
The Ukrainian air force reported that 810 drones and decoys were part of the strike.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat informed the Associated Press that this was the most extensive drone attack from Russia since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Additionally, 13 different missiles were fired during this operation.
In response, Ukraine managed to intercept 747 drones and four missiles, according to an Air Force statement.
Incidents involving nine missiles and 54 drones were documented at 33 sites across Ukraine, with debris impacting eight locations, the Air Force reported.
An Associated Press reporter witnessed smoke emerging from the rooftop of a government building in Kiev; however, it was unclear if this was due to a direct strike or parts from destroyed drones.
This building houses the Ukrainian Cabinet and the minister’s office, prompting police to restrict access as firefighters and ambulance crews responded.
Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitalii Klitschko, confirmed that two people lost their lives and 20 others sustained injuries in this attack.
“For the first time, enemy attacks have damaged government properties, specifically the roofs and upper floors,” remarked Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Swilydenko. “We will repair the building, but we can’t bring back those who were lost.”
“The global community must react to this devastation with real action rather than mere words. Increased sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sectors are essential,” she emphasized.
President Voldymir Zelensky echoed these sentiments in an online message, stating, “While these killings have been ongoing for some time, they are deliberate acts of violence as part of the war.” He called for stronger sanctions against Russia and enhancements to Ukraine’s air defenses.
“Additional air defense systems are critical to protect civilians from such vile attacks. The world can compel Kremlin affiliates to halt these murders—only political resolve is necessary,” Zelensky added.
The victims included a mother and her three-month-old child, whose remains were retrieved from the rubble, according to Timur Tokachenko, head of the Kiev city government. Initially, it was reported that the child was one year old. At least ten sites in Kyiv sustained damage from the assault, he stated.
Klitschko mentioned that a nine-story residential building in Kiev’s Sviatsinsky district and a four-story structure in Darnitsky district were directly hit by the Russian drones.
On Sunday, Russian forces declared their intent to target Ukrainian military industrial sites using various methods including aviation, drone strikes, and missiles, aiming at drone assembly facilities, military airfields, air defense radar stations, and troop locations.
This attack represented the second drone and missile strike against Kiev in just two weeks, further diminishing hopes for diplomatic resolutions.
The offensive continues as European leaders assured Russian President Vladimir Putin that they would send troops as a protective force in Ukraine once hostilities cease.
Zelensky expressed his willingness to negotiate a peace deal with Putin and urged U.S. President Donald Trump to enforce sanctions against Russia.
