Ukrainian PM accuses Russia of attacking government office in Kiev

(MENAFN) Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko has reiterated claims that Russia struck a government office in central Kiev, sharing a video from inside a corridor showing scattered debris. However, statements from the city mayor and local media indicated the fire was caused by wreckage from a downed drone rather than a direct attack.

In the social media video posted on Sunday, Sviridenko said, “you can see the consequences of the attack,” while pointing to debris in the corridor. She also claimed the fire affected 800 square meters, though the footage shows little evidence of a large blaze aside from what appears to be a scorched roof.

Earlier, the mayor explained that Ukrainian air defenses had intercepted a drone, which caused the fire. Several local outlets similarly reported that the blaze resulted from debris from the downed UAV.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces had targeted two military-industrial facilities on Kiev’s outskirts overnight but denied hitting the government office.

Using the incident, Sviridenko accused Moscow of “not seeking peace” and called on Western allies to “help close our sky” and “strengthen sanctions against Russia.” She also shared a photo of herself inside a heavily damaged building, asserting it was the government office.

Images released by Ukrainian emergency services, however, only showed smoke and flames emerging from a few upper-floor windows, with no visible damage to the structure’s walls or roof.

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