Ukraine’s government headquarters in central Kyiv has been struck for the first time since the war began, in what officials say was Russia’s largest aerial assault of the conflict.
Yulia Svyrydenko, the prime minister, confirmed that the cabinet of ministers’ building – home to the country’s top ministers – suffered roof and upper-floor damage, with flames breaking out after the strike. Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, said a drone may have hit the building after being intercepted, though details remained unclear.
Read also: Putin rejects Western troop plan for Ukraine, warns of ‘legitimate targets’
The attack was part of a massive overnight bombardment involving more than 800 drones and missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force. It said nine missiles and 56 drones hit 37 locations across the country, with wreckage falling in several areas.
At least four people were killed nationwide, including a baby and a young woman in Kyiv’s Svyatoshynsky district, where a nine-storey residential block was hit. Emergency services also reported damage to high-rise buildings in the capital.
Read also: Putin blames the West for Ukraine war, claims Trump talks ‘open way to peace’
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, condemned the strikes, calling them a “deliberate crime” at a time when diplomacy could have been possible. He urged international leaders to show “political will” to stop Russia’s assault.
The barrage destroyed Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, and in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions, officials said. Smoke and flames were seen rising near Kyiv’s Independence Square, where witnesses reported hearing the roar of cruise missiles before explosions ripped through the city.
Moscow said it had targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial sites and transport hubs, insisting it did not strike civilian infrastructure. The defence ministry claimed damage was inflicted on weapons and equipment depots, while denying responsibility for fires in central Kyiv.
Read also: Ukraine reaffirms ties with Nigeria, condemns Russian strikes in Kyiv
The attack comes weeks after a meeting between Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia and Donald Trump, the president of the United States, failed to yield progress on a ceasefire. Since then, Russia has intensified its campaign, with Zelensky calling for a strong response from Washington.
The strikes were not limited to Ukraine. Russia reported Ukrainian drone attacks on its territory, including strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline’s pumping station in Bryansk. In the Belgorod region, three civilians were killed and buildings damaged, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. The Russian defence ministry claimed to have intercepted 69 Ukrainian drones over several regions.
For Kyiv, the strike on the cabinet building carries heavy symbolism. The heart of the capital has long been shielded by some of the country’s strongest air defences. That its main government offices have now been hit marks a new stage in the war, and will heighten concerns that Russia is prepared to escalate further despite talk of peace.
