Russia launches massive airstrike on Ukraine, setting fire to government building
Russia on Sunday launched its largest air strike on Ukraine since the beginning of the war, setting fire to a government building in Kyiv and killing at least two people.
Russia launched 810 Shahed-type strike Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones; 9 Iskander-K cruise missiles; and 4 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian Defense Department.
Ukraine managed to shoot down 747 UAVs and 4 cruise missiles, according to the announcement.
“Thank you to Ukrainian air defenders for your work! Ukraine needs more air defense systems to protect our people from such barbaric attacks,” the statement read.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that the attack was the largest since the war started. He did not specify the death count or number of injured but said a child was among those who died.
Photos released from the attack showed part of a government building on fire. Associated Press reporters on the scene said it was not clear whether the smoke was a result of a direct hit or debris. Russia has so far avoided any direct strikes on government buildings in the center of Kyiv.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said at least two people were killed and dozens were injured in the attack.
“For the first time, the building of the Ukrainian Government sustained direct damage – its roof and upper floors hit in the enemy attack. Firefighters are extinguishing the blaze, and I thank them for their courage and dedication,” Svyrydenko said in her statement.
“We will rebuild what has been destroyed,” she continued. “But the lives lost cannot be restored. Russia continues to terrorize and murder our people every single day.”
Svyrydenko urged the public to “answer this terror not with words alone, but with decisive action.”
“Sanctions pressure must be intensified, above all against Russian oil and gas. New restrictions are needed that will strike at the Kremlin’s military machine. And most importantly, Ukraine needs weapons. Only strength can stop the terror and prevent Russia from killing Ukrainians every day,” she wrote.
The attack comes as President Trump has sought to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has stalled progress in recent weeks.