A massive attack of Russian drones and missiles in the capital of Ukraine during Saturday night has resulted in the death of three people, including a one-year-old girl, and significant damage to the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kiev. Up to now, Russia had avoided attacking government buildings, confirming an escalation in the aerial campaign by Putin's troops.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 805 drones and 13 missiles against Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian defense units shooting down 751 drones and four missiles. This is the largest number of drones Russia has used to attack the country since Moscow launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Overnight from Saturday to Sunday, Russian attacks were also reported in other regions, especially in Dnipropetrovsk, where a 54-year-old man died in an attack that also involved drones and missiles. Local Ukrainian authorities also reported the death of a woman by guided aerial bombs in the Zaporizhia region (southeast) on Sunday morning and another person on Saturday night in the border region of Sumy (northeast).
This morning's attack is the second massive Russian drone and missile attack on Kiev in the span of two weeks, confirming fading hopes for peace talks.
Kallas speaks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister after Russia's massive attack
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, held a phone conversation on Sunday with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, conveying the EU's support after the massive Russian attack this morning, Efe reports.
"Every Russian attack is a deliberate choice and a message: Russia does not want peace. Today's attacks, including the one on a government building in Kiev, are part of a clear escalation. We will continue to support Ukraine's defense industry and tighten sanctions against Moscow," Kallas said on social media.
Sibiga, during his phone call with the High Representative, discussed the preparations for the nineteenth package of sanctions against Russia that the EU is already preparing and expects to present by the end of September.