Russia Launches Largest Airstrike on Ukraine Since the War Began

On Sunday, Russia carried out its most extensive air assault on Ukraine to date, targeting over 30 locations around the country. Ukrainian officials reported that the attack included a first-time strike on Kyiv’s central government headquarters, involving 810 drones, decoys, and at least five missiles launched between Saturday night and early Sunday.

The assault resulted in four civilian fatalities, including a mother and her 2-month-old infant. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the attack as a stark message of defiance, highlighting the targeting of a government building that bore the brunt of the strike, which created a large fire and left a significant hole in the top floors.

Despite intercepting most of the drones—747 in total—Ukraine was unable to prevent the damage and casualties. The strike on the government building marked the first time during the full-scale invasion that Ukrainian authorities confirmed an attack on a government headquarters. Rescue workers responded swiftly to the scene, working to extinguish fires and assess the damage.

Prime Minister Svyrydenko emphasized the war’s existential nature, stating, “This is a war for Ukraine’s future, as they try to kill our children and undermine our sovereignty and government institutions.” She called for increased international sanctions, including halting Russian defense production and secondary sanctions on nations buying Russian oil, asserting, “Russians do not want to stop—they want to continue killing Ukrainians.”

She also condemned recent attacks, including a deadly strike in Kyiv two weeks ago that killed 25 civilians, which she viewed as a blatant rejection of peace negotiations. Svyrydenko argued that Russia’s actions are a clear display of disdain for diplomacy, and she urged the global community to act decisively, asserting, “It’s time to take stronger measures to stop them.”