Vladimir Putin’s military has targeted a vital governmental structure in Ukraine, following previous deadly assaults that tragically resulted in the death of an infant. Reports indicate that Russia has executed its most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the conflict’s inception, deploying 805 drones and decoys, as stated by Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force.
The attacks comprised nine missile strikes and 56 drone attacks across 37 locations within Ukraine, with debris from downed drones and missiles scattered across eight areas. Additionally, Russia launched 13 missiles of different types during the onslaught.
Witnesses observed a plume of smoke emanating from the roof of the cabinet of ministers building in Kyiv, though it remains unclear whether the smoke stemmed from a direct impact or debris, potentially indicating a heightened level of aggression in Russia’s air campaign. Notably, Russia had previously refrained from targeting government edifices in the city center.
The building houses the offices of Ukraine’s Cabinet ministers, with police securing the premises while fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the scene. Ukrainian authorities confirmed two fatalities and a minimum of 17 injuries resulting from the assault.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko lamented the damage to the government structure, emphasizing the irreparable loss of lives. She urged the international community to respond decisively to the destruction, emphasizing the need for bolstered sanctions, particularly targeting Russian oil and gas.
Tragically, the casualties included a mother and her two-month-old infant, whose bodies were recovered from the wreckage by rescue teams. Notably, Russian drones struck a nine-story residential building in Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story residential complex in Darnytskyi district, causing significant damage, as confirmed by Mayor Vitallii Klitschko and Tymur Tkachenko.
This recent assault marks the second major drone and missile attack on Kyiv by Russian forces within a fortnight, signaling a bleak outlook for peace negotiations.