Additional Coverage:
Kyiv’s Cabinet of Ministers Building Hit in Significant Airstrike
Kyiv – In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched an airstrike targeting the upper floors of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv on Sunday. This marks the first time the prominent government building, housing the offices of key executive branch officials, has been struck since the war began in February 2022. The attack underscores Moscow’s ability to reach the heart of Kyiv’s government district.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strike was part of a larger assault on cities across the country, including Sumy, Kremenchuk, Odesa, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported the attack involved over 800 drones, four ballistic missiles, and nine cruise missiles, making it the largest of its kind since the war’s commencement.
Tragically, at least four people, including a child, were killed in the widespread airstrike. President Zelensky reported over 40 injuries nationwide, with 20 occurring in Kyiv. Rescue efforts continue amidst concerns that more casualties may be found beneath the rubble.
While Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed no injuries occurred within the Cabinet of Ministers building, she shared images of the destruction and vowed that the government’s work would not be deterred. She emphasized the irreplaceable loss of Ukrainian lives while highlighting the attack’s broader impact.
The attack prompted air raid sirens in Kyiv to blare for over seven and a half hours. President Zelensky condemned the attacks and called for intensified sanctions and tariffs against Russia, while praising the response of Western allies who denounced the airstrike. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, highlighting the escalation of violence and Russia’s disregard for peace.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for a large-scale strike targeting Ukrainian drone facilities and military airbases, but denied hitting any government buildings in Kyiv. They also reported intercepting numerous Ukrainian drones over various regions of Russia.
Furthermore, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed advances in eastern and southern Ukraine, reporting significant Ukrainian casualties and the destruction of military equipment. They also stated their forces hit numerous Ukrainian military targets and intercepted Ukrainian rockets and drones.