Russia hits Ukraine with over 800 drones, decoys, largest such attack in war

Russia-Ukraine war

A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital Sunday killed at least two people and left smoke rising from the roof of a key government building. At least four people were killed and dozens wounded across Ukraine as Russia launched more than 800 drones and 13 missiles in overnight attacks, Ukraine’s air force said Sunday.

An infant was among two people killed in a Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv that set fire to scores of buildings in the capital, including the main government building, Ukrainian officials said.

Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, confirmed to The Associated Press that Sunday’s attack was the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Russia also launched 13 missiles of various types.

Ukraine reportedly  shot down and neutralized 747 drones and 4 missiles, according to a statement from the Air Force. There were nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes in 37 locations across Ukraine. Debris from shot-down drones and missiles fell on 8 locations.

“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” said Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.”

“The world must respond to this destruction not only with words, but with actions. There is a need to strengthen sanctions pressure — primarily against Russian oil and gas,” she said.

Sunday's attack is the second mass Russian drone and missile attack to target Kyiv in the span of two weeks, as hopes for peace talks wane.

The attack comes after European leaders pressed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to work to end the war after 26 of Ukraine's allies pledged to deploy troops as a “reassurance force” for the war-torn country once the fighting ends.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready to meet Putin to negotiate a peace agreement, and has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to put punishing sanctions on Russia to push it to end the war.