Russian air attack sets ablaze Ukrainian cabinet building: All you need to know

In Kyiv, smoke was seen rising from the Cabinet of Ministers building after the upper floors and roof were damaged. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that it had been struck for the first time since the war began. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned,” she said.

• Leaders condemn strikes

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the overnight strikes, calling them “cowardly” and saying they proved Russian President Vladimir Putin “is not serious about peace”, the BBC reported.

“Now, more than ever, we must stand firm in our support for Ukraine and its sovereignty,” Starmer said.

Other European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, also condemned the strikes.

Russia has once again rained down hundreds of drones and a dozen missiles on Ukraine overnight, striking indiscriminately — including residential areas and the seat of government.

My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 7, 2025

• What happened in Kyiv?

The Guardian said the attack involved hundreds of drones and missiles. Ukraine’s air force reported that 805 drones and decoys were launched, with 747 intercepted. Despite this, nine missiles and 56 drones hit targets across the country.

•     How and when it happened?

In the capital, the Cabinet of Ministers building was damaged for the first time, while apartment blocks were set on fire. Four people were killed across the country, including a baby and a young woman.

According to Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko, falling debris and direct strikes damaged several residential areas. A two-month-old child and a young woman were killed in an apartment block. An elderly woman also died in a shelter in the eastern Darnytskyi district.

• Russia’s ‘ruthless’ air attack

Russian strikes were also reported in Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih and Odesa, where civilian infrastructure and housing were damaged. Emergency crews were working on fires in several apartment blocks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says four people were killed due to Russian strikes. At least 44 others were injured, the Ukrainian president said in a post on X.

Since last night, work has been ongoing to eliminate the consequences of Russian strikes – more than 800 drones, 13 missiles, including 4 ballistic. According to preliminary information, several drones crossed the border of Ukraine and Belarus.

In Kyiv, ordinary residential… pic.twitter.com/CefQOopLtD

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 7, 2025

Emergency services are still responding to the aftermath of Russia’s “ruthless” air attack last night, Zelenskyy added.