Deadly Russian Airstrikes Kill 3 in Ukraine as Drone War Escalates
At least three people have been killed and more than 30 injured in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a “massive overnight Russian aerial assault” on cities across Ukraine.
Zelensky said the strikes were part of Moscow’s “deliberate strategy to intimidate civilians and destroy vital infrastructure”, with one missile directly hitting a residential building.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 619 drones and missiles in the attack. Moscow’s defense ministry confirmed carrying out a “massive strike,” claiming it used precision-guided weapons to target military-industrial facilities.
Ukraine and Russia Trade Strikes
In response, Ukraine launched drone raids across the border. Russia reported that four people were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Saratov region, while Kyiv claimed responsibility for hitting a major oil refinery there and damaging another in the neighboring Samara region.
Cross-border drone warfare has become increasingly common in the conflict. In July, a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack temporarily forced the closure of all airports in Moscow. Kyiv has also stepped up strikes on Russian oil facilities and other key industrial sites that fuel Moscow’s war effort.
Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its own aerial attacks in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a Russian Iskander cruise missile struck Ukraine’s main government building in Kyiv, further intensifying tensions.
Global Reactions and Rising Tensions
President Zelensky announced he will meet US President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next week to discuss the ongoing conflict.
Last month, Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in an attempt to broker peace, though no agreement was reached. Putin first launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The latest strikes come just one day after Estonia requested urgent NATO consultations following an alleged Russian airspace violation. Estonian officials said Russian fighter jets entered their airspace for 12 minutes before being intercepted. Moscow has denied the claim.
Tensions are also rising with other NATO members, as Poland and Romania recently accused Russia of sending drones across their borders earlier this month.