 "A building struck by Russia's airstrikes in Ukrainian capital Kyiv's Darnytskyi region on Thursday, August 28, 2025. (Photo: X/Andrii Sybiha)")
A massive fire broke out on the roof of an administrative building in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi district after Russia launched a fresh wave of overnight strikes, Kyiv’s military administration chief Timur Tkachenko said on Sunday, Reuters reported.
The assault marked one of the most serious escalations in months, with Russian forces striking government buildings in central Kyiv, including the Cabinet headquarters. At least three people, among them a one-year-old child, were killed, and 18 others were injured. Several residential blocks were also hit, officials said.
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the roof and upper floors of the Cabinet building. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on Facebook: “For the first time, the Government building, roof and upper floors have been damaged due to an enemy attack.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack began with drones and was followed by missile strikes, which also set fire to homes. Emergency officials reported a blaze in a four-storey residential building, while in Sviatoshynskyi district, parts of a nine-storey apartment block were destroyed. Falling drone debris also ignited fires in a 16-storey building and two other apartment complexes.
“Russia was deliberately and consciously striking civilian targets,” Tkachenko said.
Ukraine retaliated by targeting Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline in the Bryansk region, inflicting “comprehensive fire damage,” according to Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces.
Elsewhere, dozens of explosions were reported in Kremenchuk, knocking out power in parts of the city, its mayor Vitalii Maletskyi said. In Kryvyi Rih, Russian strikes damaged transport and infrastructure but caused no casualties, local military head Oleksandr Vilkul added.