What happened Russia has delivered its heaviest aerial bombardment of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, firing more than 800 drones and missiles overnight. Among the targets was Kyiv's Cabinet of Ministers building – the first time a central government office has been struck during the war. At least four civilians were killed across the country, including a young woman and her baby who died when their apartment block in the capital was hit.
Who said what Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that the government building's upper floors had been damaged, adding: "We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned." President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault as "a deliberate crime and an attempt to prolong the war", and said Ukraine was coordinating with its allies in order to deliver a "strong response".
Last night's strikes were the "latest in a relentless offensive that has continued unabated despite the Trump administration's efforts to mediate peace talks", said Andrew E. Kramer in The New York Times. Following the attacks, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signalled that Washington was ready to tighten sanctions on Russia and urged its European allies to help "collapse" the Russian economy. Donald Trump also "hinted at a tougher stance", said Al Jazeera. Asked at the White House whether he was ready to move to "the second phase" of sanctions, he replied "Yeah, I am", but declined to provide details.
What next? French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed that Ukraine's allies stand ready to deploy forces after any ceasefire. But Moscow has warned that any foreign troop deployment would be treated as a "legitimate target", suggesting that the escalation risks remain high. |