Massive Russian air assault during the conflict ignites a blaze at a government building in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city.

In a concerning turn of events, European leaders are expressing growing apprehension about a potential new offensive by Russia on Ukraine. This fear is heightened by a series of severe drone attacks launched by Russia, the most recent and devastating of which occurred on September 5, 2025.

During this nighttime attack, Russia deployed 315 drones, two North Korean ballistic missiles, and five cruise missiles. The attack resulted in at least three reported fatalities in Kyiv, including a one-year-old child whose body was later recovered from the rubble by rescuers. Several residential buildings, including a maternity hospital in Odessa, were also hit, causing injuries to civilians.

The attack marked the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. The Russian defence ministry claimed to have damaged targets in Ukraine's military-industrial complex and transport infrastructure used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They also reported striking drone plants, storage and launch facilities for long-range drones, arsenals, airfields, radar stations, and gathering points of Ukrainian soldiers and foreign mercenaries.

The strikes also hit residential areas of Kyiv, including a nine-storey apartment block in one of Kyiv's districts, which sustained heavy damage with several floors partially destroyed. Smoke was seen rising from Ukraine's cabinet of ministers building, housing the offices of Ukraine's ministers, and a fire broke out on the top of an administrative building in Kyiv's Pecherskyi district.

In response to these attacks, Ukraine's prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, stated that lost lives cannot be returned. She called for the world to strengthen sanctions, particularly against Russian oil and gas, in an effort to put pressure on Moscow.

Despite the efforts of US President Donald Trump to broker an end to Russia's full-scale invasion, Moscow has shown little willingness to commit to a ceasefire. July was among the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine since May 2022, according to the United Nations. Eighteen people were injured in the attack, and the government building was damaged, including the roof and upper floors.

The escalating violence in Ukraine continues to raise concerns for peace and stability in the region. As the international community responds to these attacks, the hope remains for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Massive Russian air assault during the conflict ignites a blaze at a government building in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city.