Major Russian Drone Attack Targets Kyiv, Claims Lives and Damages Buildings

Sat Sep 13 2025 12:21:09 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant escalation of hostilities, over 800 drones and missiles were launched at Ukraine’s capital, marking the largest attack since the war's commencement.

A recent Russian aerial assault on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of four civilians, including a mother and her infant. The attack saw the city targeted with 810 drones and missiles, leading to damage in key government buildings and multiple residential areas, raising international condemnation and calls for strengthened defense measures from Ukrainian officials.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia conducted its most extensive drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, since the war began, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and significant damage to government and residential buildings.

The Ukrainian air force reported that over 800 drones and missiles were deployed in the assault, with 747 drones and four missiles intercepted successfully. Despite these efforts, the invasion caused notable destruction, particularly to the Cabinet of Ministers building in the city center.

Eyewitness accounts revealed smoke billowing from the roof of the targeted government headquarters, instigating fears of a persistent threat to vital infrastructures amid ongoing warfare.

Authorities confirmed that two victims, a mother and her three-month-old child, were among the casualties in the shelling, which also injured at least 44 others across Kyiv and other regions. The attack specifically struck residential areas, emphasizing the ongoing volatility that civilians experience during the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attack underscored Russia's unwillingness to pursue peace. He expressed that such brutal actions could not continue without severe consequences and urged for immediate international sanctions against Russian aggression.

In solidarity, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the indiscriminate bombing, labeling it a continuation of indiscriminate warfare and asserting that France would support enhanced defense measures for Ukraine against Russian attacks.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, reiterated calls for stronger air defense systems and sanctions against Russia, indicating that attacks on civilian infrastructure demonstrate a clear violation of international humanitarian principles.

Although Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that the strikes targeted military installations, the widespread civilian damage indicates a significant humanitarian crisis continues to unfold during the conflict.

As both sides exchange blames, negotiations for peace seem increasingly unlikely in the wake of such devastating attacks. While the Kremlin insists its operations focus on military objectives, the devastation inflicted on civilian lives and properties raises pressing concerns over the ongoing conflict.