Breaking news: Russia launched one of its largest assaults against the nation since the conflict began, using hundreds of drones and missiles to target Kyiv and other areas in the early hours of Sunday. At least four individuals died and dozens were injured in the record-breaking attack that ran for over 12 hours. News outlets report that Ukraine’s army reported Russia fired 595 drones and 48 missiles during the night, with Ukrainian air defence downing 568 drones and 43 missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the attack destroyed a heart clinic, factories, and residential homes where civilians reside. Russia’s defence ministry reported on Sunday that it had launched a massive strike against Ukraine with long-range weapons deployed from the air and sea, as well as drones, against military structures, including airfields. Moscow has claimed not to have targeted ordinary citizens during its war in Ukraine, although thousands have been killed and civilian quarters severely damaged in its strikes.
Poland Shuts Down Airspace as Kyiv Citizens Seek Shelter
Closely bordering Poland shut down its airspace around two southeastern cities and scrambled its air force to send out jets in retaliation until the threat passed. Kyiv greeted the day with reverberating explosions, drones buzzing overhead, and the thunder of air defences. The morning sky had smoke from one of the target sites wafting through it as the air raid warning expired at 9:13 in the morning, some seven hours into its operation.
News journalists went to a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kyiv, where lines of newly constructed houses were largely destroyed, and parked vehicles were crushed by debris falling from above. Locals combed through the rubble of a high-rise apartment building after the force of an explosion blew in their windows. Others rushed to the basement metro stations, where they monitored developments on their cell phones in order to avoid the bombing.
Ukraine Requests the World for Additional Air Defence Systems
Such attacks on a large scale have pushed Ukraine’s sparse air defences to the limit in 2025. Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that an extra Patriot missile defence system from Israel had been installed, and he was awaiting two more this fall. He and other officials requested additional systems to defend Ukraine’s skies from international partners, but air defence systems are difficult to obtain, and other countries wish to bolster their defences due to Russia’s threats.
Zelenskyy reported Sunday’s attack struck multiple regions, including Zaporizhzhia in the south, where authorities reported at least 16 people were injured. Emergency responders reported at least four dead, and 67 people were reported injured throughout the country by local officials. One of the dead was a 12-year-old girl, though that is not yet officially confirmed, said Tymur Tkachenko, military administration head of Kyiv.
News At Glance
- Russia fired 595 drones and 48 missiles at Ukraine in one of the largest raids since the conflict began
- At least four individuals died, and dozens were wounded, a 12-year-old girl among them
- 568 drones and 43 missiles were destroyed by Ukraine, but many of them still landed on targets like houses and a heart clinic
- Poland shut down its airspace and scrambled military aircraft because of the adjacent attack
FAQs
1. How many missiles and drones did Russia fire?
Russia fired 595 drones and 48 missiles during this massive Ukraine attack.
2. How many died in the attack?
Four were killed, including a 12-year-old girl, and 67 were injured.
3. How long did the attack take?
The attack lasted over 12 hours, with air raid warnings in Kyiv taking almost seven hours.
4. What did Russia report they were attacking?
Russia reported attacking military facilities and airbases, although civilians also came under attack.
5. What was the reaction of the surrounding nations?
Poland shut the airspace within two cities and deployed fighter planes as a reaction to the attack.
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