In a devastating escalation of hostilities, Ukraine's cabinet building in Kyiv was targeted during Russia's largest drone and missile attack to date, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This assault occurred overnight into Sunday morning, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The Ukrainian air force reported an unprecedented barrage, with 810 drones and 13 missiles launched into the country. Of these, a remarkable 747 drones and four missiles were successfully intercepted. However, the attack resulted in the impacts of nine missiles and 54 drones across 33 locations in Ukraine. This total of 823 munitions marks the largest assault from Russia to date, surpassing the previous record of 741 munitions reported on July 9.
The attack on Kyiv resulted in the tragic loss of at least two lives, according to local officials. Additionally, impacts were reported in various regions including Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and Odesa. In total, at least eight civilians lost their lives and 59 were injured due to the relentless Russian attacks across Ukraine.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko shared on Telegram that the attack inflicted significant damage to the roof and upper floors of the cabinet building located in the historic Pecherskyi district of Kyiv, an area that houses many important government buildings. Rescuers were deployed to extinguish the fire caused by the attack. Svyrydenko expressed gratitude for their efforts while highlighting the irreparable loss of life, stating, “But lost lives cannot be returned. The enemy terrorizes and kills our people across the country every day.”
Both President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Svyrydenko urged for an immediate response from the international community, emphasizing the need for increased military assistance for Kyiv. Zelenskyy described the ongoing killings as a “deliberate crime” and a prolongation of the war, insisting that “Such killings now, when real diplomacy could have started long ago, are unacceptable.” He referenced previous discussions held in Paris with European leaders and virtual talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, advocating for the implementation of agreed-upon measures.
The overnight barrage prompted NATO to scramble fighter jets in Poland, as reported by the country’s Armed Forces Operational Command. The command stated that both Polish and allied aircraft were operating in the airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on high alert for approximately three hours.
In response, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its forces shot down 69 Ukrainian drones during the same timeframe. Notably, debris from one of the Russian drones fell on the Ilsky Oil Refinery in the Krasnodar region, resulting in a fire that was quickly extinguished without any casualties. Additionally, in the Voronezh region, Governor Alexander Gusev reported that a farm worker was seriously injured when a downed drone crashed, causing damage to private homes, farm buildings, and power lines. In the Belgorod border region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that one person was injured due to a drone attack that also damaged an administrative building.
This latest escalation of violence underscores the urgent need for diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance in the region. The international community continues to watch closely as the situation evolves.
