Russia carried out its biggest drone attack on Ukraine since the war began, striking Kyiv in the early hours of September 7 and killing at least four people, with many more injured.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the assault spanned the night of September 6–7 and involved more than 810 drones and 13 missiles. Targets included the Cabinet of Ministers building, marking the first time in three and a half years that the government complex had been hit. Residential areas in the capital also suffered heavy damage.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, accusing Vladimir Putin of “testing the world” and urging tougher international sanctions against Russia. He stressed the attack underscored Moscow’s ongoing threat to civilians and renewed calls for stronger global support for Ukraine.
Analysts suggested the large-scale strike was linked to stalled peace talks, following the August meeting between former U.S. president Donald Trump and Putin, which failed to yield progress on a ceasefire. Experts believe Moscow aimed to pressure both Kyiv and the wider international community.
Russia denied deliberately targeting civilians, claiming its strikes were aimed at military facilities. Ukrainian officials said they would continue strengthening air defenses to protect the population and prevent similar mass assaults.