Massive Russian air assault targets Ukrainian cities, wounding dozens
Overnight, Ukraine faced what Kyiv described as a massed attack, with hundreds of drones and missiles aimed at cities across the country. Local authorities said the strikes damaged residential buildings and critical infrastructure, and at least 10 people were wounded as residents were forced from their beds into shelters or metro stations for safety. Air raid alerts were in effect in multiple regions, including the capital, Kyiv.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said the attack was another example of Russia’s willingness to strike civilian areas. Footage shared by officials showed flames erupting from the windows of a multi-storey apartment block, underscoring the human toll of the strikes as people sought safety underground.
In Kyiv, the mayor, Vitali Klitschko, described the assault as a “massive” attack and urged residents to remain in shelters. Across central and southern regions, authorities reported casualties as Russian strikes hit residential buildings and essential infrastructure.
Casualties and regional impact
The war’s latest wave wounded at least 10 people nationwide. Kyiv’s regional administration said six people were injured there, with five taken to hospital and one treated at the scene. In Zaporizhzhia, authorities reported at least four injuries from the strikes. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, framed the attack as a direct assault on civilians and said Ukraine would respond, while urging Western partners to increase economic pressure on Russia.
As the fog of conflict persisted, Ukraine noted a broader pattern of drones and missiles affecting multiple regions, prompting continued vigilance and further air raid alerts in the hours that followed.
Poland’s response to protect airspace
In a preventive move, Poland scrambled fighter jets and placed ground-based air defenses on high alert to secure its airspace amid the strikes in neighboring Ukraine. Warsaw also closed the airspace near the south-eastern cities of Lublin and Rzeszów until at least 0400 GMT on Sunday, reflecting concerns about spillover and the risk of further drone incursions into Polish skies.
Europe’s security outlook and Kremlin rhetoric
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking after a UN encounter in New York, warned that Russia intends to widen the conflict and might probe Europe’s capacity to protect its skies. He noted drone sightings in Denmark, Poland, and Romania, and an alleged violation of Estonian airspace by Russian jets, suggesting a broader signal of Moscow’s strategy to test Western defenses. EU and NATO capitals have since been under renewed scrutiny as they weigh stronger defensive postures and potential economic responses to Russia’s actions.
Russia has denied involvement in cross-border incursions and has warned that any object it perceives as entering its airspace will be met with a decisive response, a stance reiterated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the UN General Assembly. He warned that attempts to down objects within Russia’s airspace would be met with consequences.
Looking ahead
The episodes highlight ongoing volatility in the region and the delicate balance European leaders must strike between supporting Ukraine and managing the risk of a broader confrontation. As investigations continue and casualty figures evolve, governments and international organizations are weighing further steps to deter future strikes while ensuring civilian protection and regional stability.
