Russia launched a devastating barrage of hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions early Sunday, killing at least four people including a child in one of the most sustained assaults on the capital since the full-scale invasion began.
Ukraine’s military reported that Russia deployed 595 drones and 48 missiles overnight, with air defense systems successfully intercepting 568 drones and 43 missiles. The capital Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault, which lasted more than 12 hours.
Civilian Casualties Mount as Attack Targets Multiple Cities
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed four deaths, with two fatalities occurring at a cardiology clinic in Kyiv. At least 80 people were injured across the country as the strikes damaged factories, residential buildings, and energy infrastructure.
The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia experienced what Zelenskiy described as an “extraordinarily fierce” attack, leaving nearly 40 people injured.
Reuters journalists witnessed extensive destruction in Kyiv’s suburbs, where rows of newly constructed homes were almost completely destroyed and vehicles crushed by falling debris. Apartment blocks sustained severe damage, with windows blown out by blast waves. Residents sought shelter in underground metro stations while monitoring developments on mobile devices.
Regional Impact Triggers Polish Military Response
The scale of the attack prompted neighboring Poland to temporarily close airspace near two southeastern cities and scramble fighter jets until the threat subsided, demonstrating the strike’s regional security implications.
Kyiv residents endured hours of explosions, air defense fire, and drones overhead before the air raid alert ended at 9:13 a.m. local time, nearly seven hours after it began. Smoke from strike sites drifted across the morning skyline.
Moscow Claims Military Targets
Russia’s defense ministry stated Sunday it conducted a “massive” attack using long-range air and sea-based weapons targeting military infrastructure, including airfields. Moscow has consistently denied targeting civilians throughout the conflict, despite thousands of civilian deaths and widespread destruction of residential areas.
Zelenskiy Demands Stronger International Action
President Zelenskiy renewed calls for decisive international action to cut Russia’s energy revenues funding the invasion. Ukraine has struggled to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to impose punitive sanctions on Moscow.
“The time for decisive action is long overdue, and we count on a strong response from the United States, Europe, the G7, and the G20,” Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy criticized Russia for intensifying strikes even during UN General Assembly sessions. “Russia has literally used every day, every hour, to strike at Ukraine. Vile strikes,” he said.
The president emphasized that future European sanctions must target Russia’s energy sector, particularly its tanker fleet.
Ukraine’s Air Defenses Under Pressure
Large-scale attacks throughout 2025 have strained Ukraine’s limited air defense capabilities. Zelenskiy announced Saturday that an additional Patriot missile system from Israel had been deployed, with two more expected this autumn.
Ukrainian officials continue requesting more air defense systems from international partners, though availability remains limited as other nations prioritize bolstering their own defenses against perceived Russian threats.
The latest assault underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict and Ukraine’s urgent need for enhanced protective capabilities against Russia’s aerial campaign.
