Russia hits Ukraine in war's largest air attack

Russia struck Ukraine with drones and missiles on Sunday in the largest aerial attack since the war began, killing four people across the country and damaging a key government building.

- Associated Press

Russia attacked with 810 drones and decoys, Ukraine’s air force said, adding it shot down 747 drones and four missiles.

Associated Press reporters saw a plume of smoke rising from the roof of Kyiv’s government headquarters. 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, which has so far spared government buildings in the city centre.

The building is the home of Ukraine's Cabinet and its ministers. Police blocked access to the building as fire trucks and ambulances arrived.

Yuriy Ihnat, an air force spokesperson, confirmed to Associated Press that Sunday's attack was the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia also launched 13 missiles. Hits from nine missiles and 54 drones were recorded at 33 locations across Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said that four people were killed and 44 wounded. He said he spoke on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron about the attack.

"Together with France, we are preparing new measures to strengthen our defence," Zelensky said.