Ukrainian Government Headquarters hit in biggest attack of the war
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With 810 drones and 13 ballistic missiles, Russia launched its largest airstrike against Ukraine early Sunday morning since Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022. What's more, for the first time, a government building was hit by a Russian attack. The roof and upper floors of the Government House in Kyiv, where Ukrainian ministers' offices are located, were partially destroyed.
Early in the morning, Associated Press journalists in Kyiv reported seeing a column of smoke rising from the building in the city center. Later, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko shared a video from inside the building, showing the destruction. "The walls will be restored, they are just bricks, but the lives of our people cannot be restored," the chief executive wrote. "In the Russian attack, four people were killed and 44 were injured."
This is how the headquarters of Ukraine's government now looks after this morning's Russian attack. Our whole team works in this building daily. Fortunately, no one was injured. Russian barbarism will not halt the work of Ukraine's government.
The walls will be repaired, they… pic.twitter.com/Zc8aXkAtK1
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) September 7, 2025
The dead included a woman and her 3-month-old baby son, whose bodies were pulled from the rubble, Kyiv city administration chief Tymur Tkachenko announced, adding that at least 10 other sites in the city were damaged in the attack.
Outside the capital, Russian strikes were also felt in other regions of Ukraine, including Odessa and Zaporizhia , where a kindergarten was destroyed, and Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih. In total, the Ukrainian Air Force says it has neutralized 747 drones and four missiles. Still, nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes were recorded in 37 locations across the country, with weapon debris falling in eight areas.
The Russian attack was quickly condemned by several European leaders. In amessage posted on social media , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Russia "is making a mockery of diplomacy, trampling on international law, and killing indiscriminately," assuring that Europe will continue to support Ukraine.
Last night, Russia launched one of the largest drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, targeting government buildings and civilian homes alike.
Once again, the Kremlin is mocking diplomacy, trampling international law and killing indiscriminately.
Europe stands, and will continue…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 7, 2025
"The killing must stop," he said in his message, adding that Europe will continue to "strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces, creating lasting security guarantees and toughening sanctions to increase pressure on Russia."
The President of the European Council also condemned "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin's version of peace," which, according to António Costa , consists of "talking about peace while bombings intensify and government buildings and civilian homes are attacked." "We must stay the course: strengthen Ukraine's defenses and increase pressure on Russia through additional sanctions, in close coordination with our allies and partners," he added.
Talking about peace while escalating bombings and targeting government buildings and homes — this is Putin's version of “peace.” Russia started this war, and Russia is choosing to continue it.
We must stay the course: strengthen Ukraine's defenses and step up pressure on Russia…
— António Costa (@eucopresident) September 7, 2025
For French President Emmanuel Macron , Russia is "increasingly entrenching the logic of war and terror" and "striking indiscriminately, including residential areas and the seat of government." Faced with these unprecedented attacks, Macron emphasized, in a message shared on social media , the determination of Ukraine's allies to continue "doing everything possible to ensure that a just and lasting peace prevails."
Russia has once again rained down hundreds of drones and a dozen missiles on Ukraine overnight, striking indiscriminately — including residential areas and the seat of government.
My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 7, 2025
The Portuguese government expressed its "deep solidarity with the victims (including children), their families, and the Ukrainian people and authorities." "Portugal condemns the most intense Russian attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the war of aggression (810 drones and 13 missiles), which directly hit the seat of government," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a message posted on social media .
Portugal condemns the most intense Russian attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the war of aggression (810 drones and 13 missiles), which directly hit the seat of government. Deep solidarity with the victims (including children), their families, and the Ukrainian people and authorities.
— Foreign Affairs PT (@nestrangeiro_pt) September 7, 2025
On social media, Yulia Sviridenko called for "indignation" to give way to "concrete support for Ukraine." "The world must respond to this destruction not just with words, but with actions. Sanctions pressure must be increased—especially against Russian oil and gas ," she wrote.
Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump appears to have heeded Kyiv's request. Asked this Sunday whether he would be ready to implement "a second package" of sanctions against the Russian economy, the US president responded briefly but affirmatively. "Yes, I am," he declared.
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