In brief
Russia executed its most extensive aerial assault since the beginning of the conflict, utilizing over 800 drones and missiles, primarily targeting Kyiv. The attack led to at least four deaths nationwide, including a mother and her child. President Zelenskyy called for stronger sanctions and increased air defense support from allies, denouncing the strikes on civilian structures.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia hit Ukraine’s capital with drones and missiles on Sunday in the largest aerial attack since the war began, resulting in the deaths of four people across the country, as well as significant damage to a key government building.The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 810 drones and decoys, of which 747 were intercepted, along with four missiles. Eyewitness accounts noted plumes of smoke rising from Kyiv’s government headquarters, marking a worrying escalation of Russia's air campaign.Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force, stated that this attack constituted the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion initiated in February 2022. Additional reports indicated that nine missiles and 54 drones struck various locations across Ukraine.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the attack resulted in four fatalities and 44 injuries, and he discussed the incident with French President Emmanuel Macron. In light of these events, Zelenskyy urged for stricter sanctions against Russia and the enhancement of Ukraine's air defenses, declaring that the strikes reflected Russia's ongoing aggression.Kyiv officials confirmed that two of the victims were a mother and her three-month-old child, whose bodies were recovered from rubble in the Sviatoshynskyi district, where a nine-story residential building was directly hit. Overall, ten sites in Kyiv sustained damage from the attacks.As the smoke cleared from the wreckage of government structures, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko expressed her outrage, emphasizing that such violence undermined any hope for diplomatic resolution.The indiscriminate nature of these attacks drew condemnation from various global leaders, with French President Macron accusing Russia of deepening its commitment to war and terror. British PM Keir Starmer characterized the strikes as cowardly and called for unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty.In response to the ongoing escalation, Ukraine's Prime Minister affirmed ongoing efforts to strengthen their defense with partners, highlighting a commitment to advance Ukraine's military capabilities even further.On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry stated it targeted military infrastructure rather than civilians in its recent strikes, a claim questioned by global observers and local authorities.This attack is noted as the second major assault in less than a fortnight and underscores the urgency for increased international support as peace talks remain stalled.
