Russia has conducted a significant drone assault on Kyiv, deploying over 800 drones in the largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the onset of the war. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, resulted in at least two fatalities and left a prominent government building in ruins. Ukrainian officials reported that 805 drones and decoys targeted the capital. Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force, confirmed that this was the largest drone strike since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.

In addition to the drones, Russia launched 13 missiles during the assault. Ukrainian Air Force officials stated that they successfully intercepted 747 drones and four missiles. The attack resulted in nine missile impacts and 56 drone strikes across 37 locations in Ukraine. Debris from the downed drones and missiles fell in eight different areas, according to the reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it "a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war." He emphasized the need for international support, stating, "We must implement everything agreed upon in Paris. Every additional system saves civilians from these vile strikes. The world can force the Kremlin criminals to stop killing; only political will is needed."

Zelenskyy's remarks followed a virtual meeting of 26 countries, which agreed to form a "reassurance force" in Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached with Russia. This initiative aims to deter future aggression from Moscow.

In Kyiv, reporters observed smoke rising from the roof of the cabinet of ministers building after the attack. It remains unclear if the smoke was due to a direct hit, marking a potential escalation in Russia's air campaign, as the Kremlin has previously avoided targeting government buildings in the city center. The cabinet building houses the offices of Ukraine's ministers, and police cordoned off the area as emergency services responded.

Ukrainian officials confirmed that two individuals, a mother and her three-month-old child, were killed in the attack. Their bodies were recovered from the rubble, as reported by Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's city administration. Initially, Tkachenko mistakenly stated that the child was one year old. At least 17 others sustained injuries during the assault.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko noted, "For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors. We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned. The world must respond to this destruction not only with words, but with actions. There is a need to strengthen sanctions pressure — primarily against Russian oil and gas."

The attack also targeted residential areas, with Russian drones hitting a nine-story building in Kyiv's Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story building in Darnytskyi district, according to Mayor Vitalii Klitschko. Tkachenko confirmed that these strikes were direct hits. Moscow has not yet commented on the attacks, and both sides deny intentionally targeting civilians.