The Kaipher Editorial Team 
Russia launched its largest aerial assault of the war on September 7, deploying over 800 drones and missiles against Ukraine in a record-breaking attack that struck the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv for the first time since the invasion began. The unprecedented barrage killed at least three people, including an infant, wounded dozens more, and set fire to Ukraine’s main government complex, marking what officials called a serious escalation in the conflict.
Record-Breaking Assault on Multiple Fronts
Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched 805 Shahed drones and 13 missiles overnight, surpassing the previous record of 741 munitions used in a July attack. Ukraine’s air defense systems successfully intercepted 751 drones and four missiles, but the remaining strikes hit 33 locations across the country, with debris from downed targets falling in eight additional areas.
The assault targeted multiple regions including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk and Odesa. In Kyiv alone, the attack killed a mother and her infant child when drone strikes hit residential buildings in the Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi districts. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, the one-year-old’s body was recovered from rubble after rescue operations.
Government Building Struck for First Time
The most notable target was Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building in the historic Pecherskyi district, which houses the offices of ministers and the Prime Minister. Smoke was seen rising from the building’s roof as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, with helicopters dropping water buckets from above.
“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.”
Until now, Russia had largely avoided targeting government buildings in central Kyiv, making this strike a potential escalation in the conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the attack as a “serious escalation,” particularly as it occurred while President Trump continues diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.
International Response and Regional Impact
Poland scrambled NATO fighter jets and activated air defense systems to maximum readiness in response to the massive Russian assault on its neighbor. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command reported that “Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace” while ground-based systems maintained heightened alert status for approximately three hours.
The attack comes as peace talks remain stalled despite recent diplomatic efforts. President Trump has repeatedly warned Putin about consequences if Russia does not engage in negotiations, stating “you’ll see things happen” if he becomes unhappy with Moscow’s decisions. However, diplomatic progress has been limited, with Putin suggesting any meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy should take place in Moscow – a proposal Kyiv immediately rejected.
