Russia launches massive drone attack on Ukraine, striking government buildings

Russia has undertaken its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the beginning of the ongoing war, which occurred overnight into Sunday. This aggressive maneuver involved the deployment of more than 800 drones, along with ballistic and cruise missiles, marking a notable escalation in hostilities. The air strike specifically targeted a government building in Kyiv for the first time, damaging the prime minister's office, alongside several residential areas across the capital and other cities, including Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, and Odesa. Casualties were reported as at least four individuals were killed, including an infant, causing significant distress among residents in the affected areas. The extended assault prompted air raid sirens to sound for approximately 11 hours throughout Kyiv, reflecting the severity of the attack as inhabitants recoiled under the terrifying conditions. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, condemned the attacks while acknowledging the grave losses suffered by civilians. The drone strikes resulted in severe destruction, with reports of several multistory apartment buildings suffering heavy damage, thus amplifying fears among the populace. In response to the relentless aggression from Moscow, Ukraine's Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced plans for a meeting aimed at strengthening the nation's air defense capabilities and enhancing Ukraine's ability to strike deeply into Russian territory. This follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier declaration that any Western troops found in Ukraine would be viewed as legitimate targets, raising the stakes further in the ongoing conflict. International reactions have also been swift, with leaders from Europe expressing solidarity with Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the escalation of violence, claiming that Russia is entrenching itself deeper into a cycle of war and terror. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily while seeking to reinforce sanctions on Russia. The incident reiterates the desperate need for diplomatic resolutions, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of aerial assaults amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis.