Smoke rises from the cabinet building in Kiev after a Russian drone strike

Russia and Ukraine launched heavy strikes against each other early Sunday, with smoke seen rising from the roof of Kyiv’s Cabinet of Ministers building.

According to officials, at least four people — including a one-year-old child — were killed in the Ukrainian capital following a major Russian drone and missile barrage that ignited several fires, among them at the central government headquarters.

“The roof and upper floors were damaged in the enemy attack. Fire crews are working to contain the blaze,” Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed multiple buildings were ablaze.

Ukraine’s air force reported Russia had fired 805 drones and 13 missiles overnight. Meanwhile, Russia’s RIA news agency said its air defences destroyed 69 Ukrainian drones in the same period.

Ukrainian forces also claimed responsibility for striking the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia’s Bryansk region. Drone commander Robert Brovdi said the attack caused “serious fire damage” to the line that delivers Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

The escalation comes days after more than 20 nations, led by France and the UK, vowed to take part in a “reassurance” mission to patrol any future peace settlement. Kyiv insists western-backed security guarantees are essential to prevent another Russian invasion.

But President Vladimir Putin rejected the idea, warning that any western troops deployed in Ukraine would be treated as “legitimate” targets. Recent attempts by US President Donald Trump to broker peace have so far made little headway.