Vladimir Putin’s military forces have targeted a critical government building in Ukraine, following a series of deadly assaults that tragically led to the death of a two-month-old infant.
Russia has initiated its most extensive aerial attack on Ukraine since the conflict began by deploying 805 drones and decoys, as reported by Ukraine’s Air Force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat.
The onslaught consisted of nine missile strikes and 56 drone attacks across 37 locations in Ukraine, resulting in debris from downed drones and missiles scattered across eight areas. Additionally, Russia launched 13 missiles of varying types during the assault.
Smoke billowed from the roof of Kyiv’s cabinet of ministers building, although it remained uncertain whether the smoke resulted from a direct hit or debris, potentially signifying an escalation in Russia’s air campaign. Notably, Russia had refrained from targeting government structures in the city center until now.
The targeted building serves as the headquarters for Ukraine’s Cabinet, accommodating ministerial offices. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with police cordoning off the area as fire trucks and ambulances arrived.
Following the attack, Ukrainian authorities confirmed two fatalities and at least 17 injuries. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko expressed dismay, stating, “The government building has sustained damage for the first time due to enemy aggression, affecting the roof and upper floors. While we will rebuild the structures, the lives lost are irreplaceable.”
In response to the devastation, Prime Minister Svyrydenko called for concrete actions rather than mere rhetoric, emphasizing the necessity to intensify sanctions, especially targeting Russian oil and gas.
Among the casualties were a mother and her two-month-old infant, whose remains were uncovered from the wreckage by rescue teams, as reported by Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s city administration.
Russian drones struck a nine-story residential building in Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story residential building in Darnytskyi district, confirmed Mayor Vitallii Klitschko. Tkachenko affirmed that these were direct hits.
This recent attack on Sunday marks the second large-scale Russian drone and missile assault on Kyiv within a two-week period, underscoring fading hopes for peace negotiations.