Russia intensified hostilities in Ukraine by launching its largest aerial assault since the conflict began, deploying over 800 drones and 13 missiles across various locations, including Kyiv. This marked the first direct strike on a central government facility, as the Cabinet of Ministers was set ablaze in the attack. The assault resulted in four civilian deaths, including that of a mother and her two-month-old child, and left 44 others injured, many critically. Extensive damage occurred to residential areas, with multiple high-rise buildings suffering structural damage and fires ignited by debris. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services worked diligently to extinguish fires and rescue trapped individuals.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assaults as intentional violence against civilians, calling for heightened international support, particularly for air defense systems and stricter sanctions against Russia. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, voiced their solidarity with Ukraine and denounced the escalation.
In retaliation, Ukraine conducted drone strikes targeting Russian military infrastructure, including the Druzhba oil pipeline in Bryansk, highlighting the conflict’s intensifying nature and the immense challenges both nations face in securing a resolution. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with ongoing discussions about increasing military aid to Ukraine and imposing additional sanctions on Russia. This recent escalation raises concerns about the potential for further violence and complicates the prospects for peace negotiations, further entrenching the ongoing crisis.
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