Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has made an urgent appeal to international allies following Russia’s most extensive overnight assault since the onset of the conflict. The attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a mother and her two-month-old child, and caused significant damage to key infrastructure in Kyiv.
In a personal video, Svyrydenko detailed the destruction inflicted by the assault, which involved 13 missiles and a staggering 805 drones. The bombardment targeted various locations across Ukraine, with significant strikes reported in Kyiv, where a nine-story residential building was directly hit.
During her walkthrough of the devastated Cabinet of Ministers building, Svyrydenko emphasized the urgent need for enhanced military support. “We call on our partners to help close our sky,” she stated, advocating for increased sanctions against Russia and the establishment of a comprehensive security guarantees system to deter further aggression.
The scale of the attack underscored the ongoing challenges NATO members face in formulating a robust response to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The incident follows a stalled peace negotiation process, particularly after a recent summit in Alaska where no ceasefire agreement was reached between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
European leaders have pledged to bolster military aid to Ukraine, including the provision of advanced weaponry such as Patriot missile defense systems. The Trump administration recently approved the delivery of 3,350 Extended-Range Attack Munitions (ERAMs), financed by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. Despite these commitments, the White House has postponed further economic sanctions against Russia, as reported by The Financial Times, and plans to reduce funding for specific security assistance programs in Europe.
The recent attacks impacted at least ten locations in Kyiv, resulting in injuries to dozens of civilians. Emergency services personnel worked tirelessly to extinguish fires and recover victims from the rubble. According to Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for the air force, this strike represents the largest drone attack from Russia since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities reported that they successfully intercepted a significant number of the attacking drones, downing 747 of the 810 launched.
As European leaders convened for a “coalition of the willing” meeting last Thursday, they secured commitments from 26 countries to mobilize land, sea, and air forces to enforce a ceasefire if a peace agreement is reached. Although Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese participated in the discussions, he has not confirmed any military commitments from Australia.
In response to the recent attack, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed strong condemnation, stating, “Once again, the Kremlin is mocking diplomacy, trampling international law and killing indiscriminately.” She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to reinforcing Ukraine’s defense capabilities and tightening sanctions against Russia.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from numerous European leaders, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterized the assault as a blatant rejection of diplomatic efforts and called for more stringent sanctions and accelerated weapon deliveries to support Ukraine’s defense initiatives.
As the situation continues to evolve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked over 20 European leaders for their support and condemnation of the assault. While the international community reacts, the pressing need for a unified and decisive response remains crucial in the face of ongoing aggression.
