What happened: Russia launched its biggest aerial strike of the war, hitting Kyiv and other cities. A central government building in the capital caught fire amid sustained missile and drone barrages.
Why it matters
The scale and target set are meant to stretch Ukraine’s air defenses and signal escalation capacity. It hardens appeals for layered systems and interceptors from European capitals and Washington.
By the numbers / context
- Strike package: waves of drones and missiles across multiple regions.
- Damage: a main government building in Kyiv set ablaze; civilian casualties reported.
- Diplomacy: renewed calls for air defense support and tighter sanctions.
What to watch
How quickly allies can replenish interceptors before winter; whether attacks shift Ukraine’s risk calculus around critical infrastructure protection.