Russia’s largest-ever air attack on Ukraine burns Kyiv government building

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Russia launched its largest air assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, deploying over 800 drones and 13 missiles in a coordinated strike early Sunday
• For the first time, Kyiv’s main government building was set ablaze, with additional drone strikes killing at least three civilians—including a mother and infant—and wounding at least 20 others in the capital
• Ukrainian authorities reported that 751 of the aerial threats were intercepted or neutralized

🔭 The context: This escalation follows a series of intensified Russian attacks on central Kyiv, signaling a renewed strategy to cripple government infrastructure and weaken Ukrainian morale
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, recently returned from diplomatic talks in Paris, is urging U.S. and European allies to follow through on tougher sanctions and increased weapons support
• Meanwhile, despite hosting peace discussions, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials, who accuse Moscow of using the talks as a cover for continued aggression

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The strikes further strain global diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and deepen concerns about the targeting of civilian infrastructure
• Ukraine’s call for enhanced air defense capabilities highlights the need for international commitments on military support and energy sanctions—particularly in reducing dependence on Russian oil and gas
• Continued attacks threaten regional stability and distract from global cooperation on climate and energy security priorities

⏭️ What's next: Washington is expected to deliberate additional sanctions, particularly targeting Russia’s energy sector, while also considering accelerated military aid to bolster Ukraine's air defense systems
• European partners may revisit commitments made in recent security discussions
• Meaningful progress on peace negotiations appears unlikely given Russia’s simultaneous military offensives and conditional demands
• Ukraine is likely to intensify its diplomatic appeals ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly sessions

💬 One quote: “We will rebuild what has been destroyed. But the lives lost cannot be restored,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. “Ukraine needs weapons. Only strength can stop the terror”

📈 One stat: More than 800 aerial weapons were launched at Ukraine in under 12 hours—the highest single-day total since the war began

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