Escalation In Ukraine-Russia War: Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv Cabinet Offices, Ukraine Retaliates By Targeting Oil Pipeline In Bryansk

The Ukraine-Russia war intensified sharply on Sunday (7 September) after Russian strikes targeted Ukraine’s cabinet offices in central Kyiv, India Today reported.

The attack ignited fires and claimed at least three lives, including a one-year-old child.

Hours later, Ukraine retaliated by striking the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia’s Bryansk region, expanding the conflict into government and energy infrastructure.

Heavy smoke poured from the upper levels of the cabinet building in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi district following the overnight attack.

Ukrainian authorities described it as the most severe escalation seen in months.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said, "For the first time, a government building was damaged by an enemy attack. We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned."

She called on Western partners to act decisively by enforcing stricter sanctions on Russian oil and gas.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that the strike started with drones followed by missiles.

Among the victims were a child aged one, a young woman, and an elderly woman sheltering in a basement.

A pregnant woman was among the injured. Residential areas in Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi also suffered damage, as falling debris caused fires and partial collapses in high-rise apartments. Firefighters worked overnight to contain the blazes.

Ukraine’s air force said that 805 drones and 13 missiles were launched during the assault.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack a "serious escalation," noting the direct strike on cabinet offices, and appealed to allies for stronger air defence systems.

Ukraine swiftly responded by striking Russian energy targets.

Drone commander Robert Brovdi said Ukrainian forces inflicted “comprehensive fire damage” on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Bryansk, a key supply line to Hungary and Slovakia—nations still importing Russian oil despite EU restrictions.

The operation is part of Kyiv’s wider campaign against Russian energy assets.

Multiple Ukrainian cities were also hit. In Kremenchuk, Mayor Vitalii Maletskyi reported that repeated blasts damaged energy infrastructure, leaving parts of the city without electricity.

Moscow has yet to respond officially, though Russian state media reported that air defence destroyed 69 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Both Russia and Ukraine deny intentionally targeting civilians, even as thousands have died since the invasion began in February 2022.

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