After a summer which has seen literally dozens of Ukrainian cross-border attacks on Russia's vital oil and energy infrastructure, President Putin is increasingly going gloves off, hitting 'decision-making centers' in Ukraine with drone and missile strikes, something previously not seen in well over three years of war.

Russia launched its largest-ever aerial assault on Ukraine early Sunday, sending over 800 drones across the country, which included decoys. The prior largest strike, which happened in July, saw around 730 drones sent. At least nine missiles also made impact on Sunday, local officials said. Some sources say the fresh assault may be seen up to 1,000 projectiles launched.

Crucially, this is the first ever aerial strike directly targeted Ukraine's cabinet of ministers, a major government complex in the heart of central Kiev. Government buildings in the capital have thus far been sparred in the Russian 'special military operation' (SMO) - but Sunday's attack suggests the Kremlin could be turning toward all-out war.

It certainly at the very least is a loud warning at a moment Ukraine has been escalating its own cross-border drone attacks on oil refineries, defense sector factories, and Russian airbases. At least five Ukrainians were killed in the new nation-wide, broad drone assault - including a woman and child in the capital, the NY Times reports.

AFP has said that one of its correspondents witnessed flames engulfing the roof of the cabinet building, verified in emerging photos, with thick smoke rising above the center part of the capital. Several high-rise apartment buildings also were reportedly struck and suffered damage.

The same report noted that for the first time of the conflict, emergency crews are battling blazes at a central government complex, with helicopters seen overhead doing water-drop runs. This government area of the city is typically well-guarded by anti-air defenses, and it looks like the Russians overwhelmed these systems.