In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia has launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the onset of the war, targeting Kyiv with a combination of drones and missiles on March 17, 2024. The attack involved a staggering total of 805 drones and decoys, resulting in at least two fatalities and extensive damage to key government infrastructure, including the Cabinet of Ministers building.
According to Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, this operation represents the most substantial drone strike by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. In addition to the drones, Russian forces deployed 13 different types of missiles. Ukrainian defense systems were able to intercept and neutralize 747 drones and four missiles, demonstrating significant defensive capabilities amid the assault.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
The coordinated strikes affected 37 locations across Ukraine, with nine missile impacts and 56 drone strikes reported. Debris from downed missiles and drones scattered across eight areas, leading to chaos in the capital. Smoke was visible rising from the roof of the Cabinet of Ministers, although it remains uncertain whether the smoke resulted from a direct hit or from debris. This building has not previously been targeted in such a way, marking a troubling shift in Russia’s air campaign.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that the attack resulted in two deaths and 15 injuries, including a one-year-old child whose remains were retrieved from the rubble. Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, expressed her sorrow over the casualties, stating, “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.” She emphasized the need for the international community to respond decisively to such acts, particularly by strengthening sanctions against Russian oil and gas.
The assault also impacted residential areas, with wreckage hitting a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story structure in Darnytskyi district, as confirmed by Vitallii Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv.
International Reactions and Implications
This latest attack marks the second large-scale Russian offensive in less than two weeks, with peace negotiations appearing increasingly distant. The timing of the strikes comes after European leaders urged Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the conflict. Following these calls, 26 of Ukraine’s partners committed to providing a “reassurance force” to support Ukraine once hostilities cease.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a willingness to meet with Putin for peace discussions and has called on the United States to impose stringent sanctions on Russia to compel an end to the conflict. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, aware that the implications of these attacks extend beyond Ukraine’s borders.
