Russia escalated its military offensive against Ukraine with a large-scale airstrike on the capital city of Kyiv early Sunday morning. Ukrainian officials confirmed that over 800 drones and 13 missiles were launched in a coordinated attack, marking one of the most intense aerial assaults since the war began.
The strike targeted multiple districts, including Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi, where drone debris ignited fires in residential buildings. A four-storey apartment complex was partially destroyed, and a 16-storey tower caught fire, forcing dozens of residents to evacuate. Emergency services reported at least three civilian deaths, including an infant, and 18 injuries.
Ukraine’s main government complex in the Pecherskyi district sustained visible damage. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned the attack, calling it a deliberate strike on civilian infrastructure and urging the international community to respond with more than words.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a pregnant woman and an elderly resident were among the injured. Local authorities described the strike as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Ukraine’s Air Force claimed to have intercepted 751 drones and four missiles, but several areas were overwhelmed by the scale of the assault.
The United Nations has called for an emergency session to address the escalating violence, while NATO officials are monitoring the situation closely.