Russia launched its most extensive aerial assault since the start of the Ukraine war, deploying over 800 drones alongside ballistic and cruise missiles. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that while many were intercepted, 54 drones and nine missiles struck targets across the country. The attack surpassed the July assault, previously considered the largest since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv Government Building And Homes, Causing Deaths And Widespread Destruction
For the first time, a government building in Kyiv’s administrative quarter was hit. The strike damaged the roof and upper floors of the building housing the prime minister’s office and several ministries. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned the attack, emphasizing that while damaged structures could be rebuilt, the loss of civilian lives was irreversible. The assault also targeted cities including Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and Odesa.
Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district suffered devastating residential strikes. Rescue workers found the body of an infant under rubble, while a young woman also lost her life. Several high-rise apartment buildings were either partially destroyed or set ablaze. At least 18 people were injured across the capital, with Ukraine’s State Emergency Services describing the assault as a “massive attack” and releasing images of widespread destruction.
Zelensky Urges Global Action As Russia’s Escalation Threatens Ukraine And NATO Stability
President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the strikes as “vile,” criticizing Russia for prolonging the war instead of engaging in diplomacy. He urged the international community to exercise the political will necessary to stop the Kremlin’s aggression. Prime Minister Svyrydenko echoed these sentiments, stressing the persistent terror faced by Ukrainians as Russia intensifies its offensive against both military and civilian targets.
The scale of the attack reverberated beyond Ukraine’s borders. Poland raised its air defense readiness and activated Polish and allied aircraft in response to Russian strikes near its frontier. This heightened regional alert underscored the growing risks for neighboring NATO states as Moscow escalates aerial offensives. The unprecedented assault reinforced concerns about Russia’s willingness to expand its campaign while undermining prospects for peace.
