Russia Launches Largest Aerial Assault on Ukraine, Strikes Kyiv Government Building

Largest Aerial Assault of the War

• 🚀 Russia deployed its largest aerial assault of the war, using over 810 drones and numerous missiles.
• 🎯 While most projectiles were intercepted, over 50 drones and several missiles successfully hit targets across Ukraine.
• ⚠️ The scale of the attack overwhelmed Ukraine's air defense systems in some instances.

Impact on Kyiv

• 💥 A government building housing the Prime Minister's office and other ministries in Kyiv was hit for the first time.
• 🏢 The top two floors and roof of the Prime Minister's office building sustained damage and caught fire.
• 🏘️ Residential buildings were also struck, including a nine-story building and a 16-story building with significant fire damage.

Casualties and Reactions

• 💔 At least two people were killed in Kyiv, including an infant found under rubble, and a young woman.
• 📈 Across Ukraine, President Zelensky reported a total of four deaths and 44 injuries.
• ⚖️ President Zelensky condemned the attacks as a "deliberate crime" and a "prolongation of the war," urging political will to stop the violence.

Significance of the Attack

• 📍 The targeting of the heart of the capital, including government buildings, is considered significant due to the intense air defenses expected in such areas.
• 🌍 The attacks were not confined to Kyiv, with impacts reported across the country, prompting Polish aircraft to be put on standby due to proximity to the border.
• ⏳ Air raid sirens in Kyiv lasted for an unprecedented 11 hours, creating a terrifying night for civilians.