Russia unleashes 12-hour drone, missile barrage on Ukraine

A prolonged Russian aerial bombardment lasting over 12 hours struck multiple regions across Ukraine on Saturday night, leaving at least four dead and 70 injured, Ukrainian officials reported.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that all fatalities occurred in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old girl. The attack targeted both civilian and industrial sites, with strikes hitting a cardiology institute, a large bakery, an automobile rubber factory, apartment buildings, and other infrastructure.

Russia’s air force reported launching nearly 600 drones and dozens of missiles across seven regions, claiming the strikes were aimed at military facilities and industrial enterprises supporting Ukraine’s armed forces.

Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “vile” and vowed that Ukraine would retaliate, asserting that Moscow “wants to continue fighting and killing.” He urged Europe and the United States to respond strongly.

“This dastardly attack took place in fact as the end of the week of the UN General Assembly, and this is how Russia declares its real position,” Zelenskyy said.

Several other areas also came under attack. Zaporizhzhia’s Governor Ivan Fedorov reported 31 injuries, including three children, a nine-year-old girl, and two boys aged 11 and 12. One boy was caught in an explosion, while the other suffered carbon monoxide poisoning; both remain in serious condition.

In Sumy, the regional governor confirmed the death of a 59-year-old man as a result of the strikes.

- Ukraine calls for stronger sanctions and diplomacy -

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine would “strike back” to compel Russia into diplomacy and voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s proposals for harsher sanctions and a reduction of Russian oil and gas imports in Europe.

Trump has recently signaled optimism about Ukraine reclaiming territory lost to Moscow, while also expressing frustration over Russia’s unwillingness to engage in peace talks.

- Regional and international tensions -

The attack also highlighted Russia’s broader military reach. Zelenskyy warned that Moscow’s actions would not stop with Ukraine and pointed to recent incursions testing European air defenses. Polish jets were scrambled early Sunday after Russian strikes hit western Ukraine.

NATO and neighboring countries, including Denmark, Estonia, and Romania, have accused Russia of violating airspace. NATO has since reinforced its eastern flank, while Trump suggested that member nations should shoot down Russian aircraft in their airspace.

Russia, meanwhile, denied plans to attack EU or NATO states. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the UN General Assembly that Moscow would deliver a “decisive response” only to acts of aggression against Russia.

Saturday’s bombardment marks one of the heaviest overnight attacks in recent months as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its third year.