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Largest Russian air attack of war sets fire to Ukrainian cabinet building Largest Russian air attack of war sets fire to Ukrainian cabinet building
(30 minutes later)
Russia’s first strike on a key government building kills three, including a baby and an infant Officials say three people including mother and baby killed in strikes that also hit key government building for first time
Russia has launched its largest ever air attack on Ukraine, hitting a key government building in Kyiv for the first time and leaving at least three people dead, including a baby and an infant, Ukrainian officials said. Russia has launched its largest ever air attack on Ukraine, hitting a key government building in Kyiv for the first time and killing at least three people, including a mother and her baby, Ukrainian officials said.
The bombardment of the capital with a large number of drones and missiles injured at least 18 people and set scores of buildings on fire.The bombardment of the capital with a large number of drones and missiles injured at least 18 people and set scores of buildings on fire.
Explosions were also reported in the cities of Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih. Authorities triggered a countrywide air-raid warning at 6.06am local time and later accused Russia of deliberately striking civilian targets.Explosions were also reported in the cities of Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih. Authorities triggered a countrywide air-raid warning at 6.06am local time and later accused Russia of deliberately striking civilian targets.
The Ukrainian air force said 805 combat drones were deployed by Moscow, as well as nine Iskander-K cruise missiles and four Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Of these, four cruise missiles and 747 drones were intercepted by Ukrainian forces, authorities said.The Ukrainian air force said 805 combat drones were deployed by Moscow, as well as nine Iskander-K cruise missiles and four Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Of these, four cruise missiles and 747 drones were intercepted by Ukrainian forces, authorities said.
Smoke was seen billowing from the roof of Kyiv’s cabinet of ministers building, as firefighters fought flames pouring out of an upper storey, although it was not immediately clear whether the fire was the result of debris or a direct hit, which would mark an escalation in Russia’s air campaign. Government buildings in the city centre have previously not been targeted by Russia.Smoke was seen billowing from the roof of Kyiv’s cabinet of ministers building, as firefighters fought flames pouring out of an upper storey, although it was not immediately clear whether the fire was the result of debris or a direct hit, which would mark an escalation in Russia’s air campaign. Government buildings in the city centre have previously not been targeted by Russia.
The building is the home of Ukraine’s cabinet, housing the offices of its ministers. The building is the home of Ukraine’s cabinet, housing the offices of its ministers.
“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” said Ukraine’s prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.”“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” said Ukraine’s prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.”
She urged the world to react to the destruction and said the pressure of sanctions must be increased, especially against Russian oil and gas.She urged the world to react to the destruction and said the pressure of sanctions must be increased, especially against Russian oil and gas.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, later said he had spoken to his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, after the strike.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, later said he had spoken to his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, after the strike.
“We coordinated our diplomatic efforts, next steps, and contacts with partners to ensure an appropriate response,” Zelenskyy said on the Telegram app.“We coordinated our diplomatic efforts, next steps, and contacts with partners to ensure an appropriate response,” Zelenskyy said on the Telegram app.
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, condemned Russia’s onslaught. He called the attacks “cowardly” and said they proved that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was “not serious about peace”.The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, condemned Russia’s onslaught. He called the attacks “cowardly” and said they proved that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was “not serious about peace”.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, confirmed to the Associated Press that Sunday’s attack was the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, confirmed to the Associated Press that Sunday’s attack was the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
There were nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes in 37 locations across Ukraine. Debris from shot-down drones and missiles fell on eight locations.There were nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes in 37 locations across Ukraine. Debris from shot-down drones and missiles fell on eight locations.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said early on Sunday the drone attacks had killed an infant and a young woman, while a pregnant woman was among the five injured who were admitted to hospital.Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said early on Sunday the drone attacks had killed an infant and a young woman, while a pregnant woman was among the five injured who were admitted to hospital.
Later in the day, it emerged that a mother and her baby had been killed after they were thrown on to the street by a pressure wave caused by a drone explosion in Kyiv, according to the Kyiv Independent.Later in the day, it emerged that a mother and her baby had been killed after they were thrown on to the street by a pressure wave caused by a drone explosion in Kyiv, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Zelenskyy said the baby had been three months old.
Earlier, Klitschko had said an elderly woman had died in a bomb shelter in the Darnytskyi district to the east of the Dnipro River.Earlier, Klitschko had said an elderly woman had died in a bomb shelter in the Darnytskyi district to the east of the Dnipro River.
Locals were left stunned by the attacks, emerging from their homes on to the streets in the early hours of Sunday to watch as firefighters fought the blazes and searched buildings for victims with thermal cameras. They reported a large amount of falling debris from damaged buildings, including glass and window blinds.Locals were left stunned by the attacks, emerging from their homes on to the streets in the early hours of Sunday to watch as firefighters fought the blazes and searched buildings for victims with thermal cameras. They reported a large amount of falling debris from damaged buildings, including glass and window blinds.
In the western district of Sviatoshynskyi, several floors of a nine-storey residential building were partly destroyed, Klitschko and emergency officials said.In the western district of Sviatoshynskyi, several floors of a nine-storey residential building were partly destroyed, Klitschko and emergency officials said.
Falling drone debris set off fires in a 16-storey apartment building and two other buildings, the mayor added.Falling drone debris set off fires in a 16-storey apartment building and two other buildings, the mayor added.
Smoke billowed out of apartment buildings, some with floors partly collapsed and facades crumbled, in social media photographs posted by emergency officials.Smoke billowed out of apartment buildings, some with floors partly collapsed and facades crumbled, in social media photographs posted by emergency officials.
Russia was “deliberately and consciously striking civilian targets”, the head of the capital’s military administration, Timur Tkachenko, said on Telegram.Russia was “deliberately and consciously striking civilian targets”, the head of the capital’s military administration, Timur Tkachenko, said on Telegram.
Dozens of explosions also shook Ukraine’s central city of Kremenchuk, cutting power to some areas, its mayor, Vitalii Maletskyi, said on Telegram. Russian strikes on Kryvyi Rih in the same region targeted transport and urban infrastructure, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the military administration, said on Telegram, but with no injuries reported.Dozens of explosions also shook Ukraine’s central city of Kremenchuk, cutting power to some areas, its mayor, Vitalii Maletskyi, said on Telegram. Russian strikes on Kryvyi Rih in the same region targeted transport and urban infrastructure, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the military administration, said on Telegram, but with no injuries reported.
In the southern city of Odesa, civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were damaged, with fires breaking out in several apartment blocks, the regional governor, Oleh Kiper, said on Telegram.In the southern city of Odesa, civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were damaged, with fires breaking out in several apartment blocks, the regional governor, Oleh Kiper, said on Telegram.
One person was killed in an attack on the north-eastern region of Sumy, according to local authorities. An attack on Saturday on the outskirts of the village of Putyvl also resulted in injuries including of a nine-year-old child, the region’s military governor, Oleh Hryhorov, said on Telegram.One person was killed in an attack on the north-eastern region of Sumy, according to local authorities. An attack on Saturday on the outskirts of the village of Putyvl also resulted in injuries including of a nine-year-old child, the region’s military governor, Oleh Hryhorov, said on Telegram.
In Zaporizhzhia in south-eastern Ukraine, at least 15 people were injured in a drone strike, some of whom had to be hospitalised, said Ivan Fedorov, the head of the region’s military administration. He published photos of residential buildings that had been destroyed.In Zaporizhzhia in south-eastern Ukraine, at least 15 people were injured in a drone strike, some of whom had to be hospitalised, said Ivan Fedorov, the head of the region’s military administration. He published photos of residential buildings that had been destroyed.
Moscow did not immediately offer comment. Both sides deny targeting civilians, but thousands have died in the war.Moscow did not immediately offer comment. Both sides deny targeting civilians, but thousands have died in the war.
According to Russian sources, a Ukrainian drone strike led to a fire at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, in the south, which was quickly extinguished, according to a regional administrator. The reports could not be independently verified.According to Russian sources, a Ukrainian drone strike led to a fire at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, in the south, which was quickly extinguished, according to a regional administrator. The reports could not be independently verified.
With western Ukraine facing the threat of air attacks, Poland activated its own and allied aircraft to ensure air safety, the operational command of the Polish armed forces said.With western Ukraine facing the threat of air attacks, Poland activated its own and allied aircraft to ensure air safety, the operational command of the Polish armed forces said.
“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems are on high alert,” it said.“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems are on high alert,” it said.