Russia unleashed its largest-ever aerial assault on Ukraine early Sunday, September 7, 2025, a massive barrage of drones and missiles that killed at least four people, including an infant, and set fire to the seat of Ukraine’s government in Kyiv. The unprecedented attack, which saw over 800 drones and 13 missiles launched, marked a significant escalation, with the Cabinet of Ministers building in the heart of the capital hit for the first time during the three-and-a-half-year conflict.
## Unprecedented Scale of Attack
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia deployed a record 805 drones and decoys, along with 13 missiles, in the overnight offensive. Ukrainian air defense units heroically intercepted 751 drones and four missiles, but the sheer volume of the barrage allowed dozens of projectiles to penetrate defenses, causing widespread damage and casualties. Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, confirmed this was the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The attack hit at least 37 locations across Ukraine, affecting cities from Odesa in the south to Chernihiv in the north.
## Direct Strike on Government Hub
For the first time in the war, the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, a central symbol of executive authority and heavily defended area, sustained damage. Photos posted by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko showed damage to the roof and upper floors, with fires breaking out, though officials confirmed no casualties inside the building. Svyrydenko stated that while the buildings would be restored, lost lives could not be brought back, highlighting the deliberate nature of the attack and urging for concrete international action beyond words.
## Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
The aerial onslaught also took a heavy toll on civilian areas. In Kyiv, a mother and her three-month-old baby were among at least four fatalities confirmed across the country, with a total of 44 people injured. Residential buildings in the Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi districts of Kyiv sustained direct hits, causing fires and partial collapses. A nine-story residential building in Sviatoshynskyi was severely damaged, and debris from downed drones ignited fires in other apartment blocks. Emergency services worked to extinguish fires across the capital, where air raid sirens blared for over seven and a half hours.
## International Condemnation and Calls for Action
The attack drew sharp condemnation from international leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the barrage as a “deliberate crime” and a “prolongation of the war,” issuing an urgent appeal to allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and calling for a strong response from the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron described Russia’s actions as “striking indiscriminately” and “locking itself ever deeper into the logic of war and terror.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “cowardly strikes,” asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is not serious about peace.” European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accused Russia of “mocking diplomacy” and pledged to tighten sanctions.
## Escalation and Future Implications
The unprecedented scale and targeting of the strike underscore Russia’s continued escalation of the conflict, occurring amidst stalled peace efforts and increased international calls for more robust support for Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, stressed that Russia has not changed its aggressive goals and urged for “severe new sanctions” to curb Moscow’s war machine. In retaliation, Ukraine announced it had attacked an oil pipeline in Russia’s Bryansk region, demonstrating a broader campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure. The latest happenings indicate a grim outlook for an imminent end to the war, with Ukraine pleading for stronger air defenses and continued, decisive international backing to counter Russia’s relentless aggression. The trending developments in this conflict highlight the immediate need for enhanced security measures and a unified global stance.
