Russia has attacked Kyiv with the largest aerial offensive since the war began – killing at least two people and striking a key government building.

805 drones and decoys were unleashed, in addition to 13 various missiles. Of these, Ukraine shot down and neutralised 747 drones and four missiles.

The bodies of a baby and his mother were pulled from the rubble, and 15 others were injured in the attack today.

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.

A potentially major escalation – key government building hit

Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the roof of Kyiv‘s cabinet of ministers building, but it was not immediately clear if the smoke was the result of a direct hit or debris, which would mark an escalation in Russia’s air campaign.

Russia has so far avoided targeting government buildings in the city centre.

Ukraine’s prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, said: ‘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.’

Strikes came from Belarus, Zelensky says

In his first statement since the crippling attack, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said: ‘According to preliminary information, several drones crossed the border of Ukraine and Belarus.’

Belarus is a close ally of Russia, but shares a border with Ukraine. President Aleksandr Lukashenko has allowed Russia to house missiles and nuclear-capable weapons on his soil.

Zelensky added: ‘Such killings now, when real diplomacy could have already begun long ago, are a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war. It has been repeatedly said in Washington that sanctions will follow a refusal to talk.

‘Qe must implement everything that was agreed in Paris. We also count on the implementation of all the agreements to strengthen our air defence. Every additional system saves civilians from these vile strikes.

‘The world can force the Kremlin criminals to stop the killings – all that is needed is political will. I thank everyone who is helping.’

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.

Zelensky has said he is ready to meetPutin to negotiate a peace agreement, and has urged US President Donald Trump to impose punishing sanctions on Russia to push it to end the war.

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