The smoke spiralling above Kyiv’s Cabinet of Ministers building was a stark reminder of the brutal calculus underpinning Russia’s war in Ukraine.
For all the talk of diplomacy – including US President Donald Trump’s faltering mediation efforts – Moscow’s assault underscores a strategy focused on overwhelming force rather than negotiation.
Ukrainian authorities report that this was the largest aerial attack on the capital since the full-scale invasion began, with more than 800 drones and decoys launched alongside missiles.
Hundreds of drones joined the attack. Pic: AP
The scale of the barrage suggests a deliberate Russian strategy; launching larger salvos to achieve critical mass, overwhelming Ukraine’s air defences and striking deep into the heart of the government district.
For the first time, a symbolic target, the building that houses the Cabinet of Ministers, has been hit, sending a clear message of intimidation.
The human toll was immediate. Residents described being jolted awake by thunderous explosions.
The aftermath of the Russian attack. Pic: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP
A Russian missile is shot down over Kyiv. Pic: Reuters
Firefighters and rescue workers navigated choking plumes of smoke to extract survivors, while outside, families clung to each other amid the devastation.
Western officials warn that Moscow’s campaign continues to target civilian areas, a pattern that has defined its broader offensive since February 2022.
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In Kyiv, the attack has amplified calls for international support.
Ukraine’s government is urging allies to supply more advanced weaponry to bolster air defences and protect the population.
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Meanwhile, the United States has signalled plans for additional sanctions.
For now, any end to the conflict seems far from near.
