Yermak discussed the attack on the offices of the Ukrainian government in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Other topics included security guarantees, military aid, and tougher sanctions on Russia, according to Yermak.
“They kill civilians, including children, and destroy our infrastructure,” he said in a Telegram post.
“For the first time, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian government building— it was struck by an Iskander missile. [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin understands only force. He does not want to end the war. We must continue to pressure Russia. Our goal is lasting peace, and we must achieve it.”
Early in the morning on Sept. 7, Russian forces launched a combined missile and drone strike on Ukraine. One of the missiles hit the upper floors of the Cabinet building, causing a fire.
Ukrainian outlet Defense Express, citing unnamed sources, reported that the strike involved an Iskander cruise missile. According to the report, the missile’s warhead did not explode; instead, fuel leaking from its tanks ignited the fire on the building’s upper floors.