In a relentless overnight assault, Russia launched nearly 600 drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other cities across the nation on Sunday. The devastating 12-hour barrage resulted in the deaths of at least four people in Kyiv and left dozens of civilians injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the prolonged attack, stating, “A massive Russian attack on Ukraine lasted for more than 12 hours. Savage strikes, a deliberate, targeted terror against ordinary cities.”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the extensive assault commenced at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and persisted through Sunday morning. They confirmed that nearly 600 drones and 48 missiles were deployed, with five missiles and 31 drones managing to bypass air defense systems.
Officials in Ukraine warned that the casualty count of dead and injured was expected to increase as emergency response teams continued their search for survivors amidst the rubble.
Kyiv was confirmed as the main target of Sunday’s aggression, with a 12-year-old girl tragically identified among the fatalities. The Cardiology Institute, an industrial bakery, a tire manufacturing plant, and numerous residential buildings sustained damage during the bombardment.
Beyond the capital, Russian rocket attacks in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia wounded at least 27 individuals and damaged 14 apartment complexes. Similar strikes were also reported in Sumy, Odessa, and other regions across the nation.
Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia’s aerial campaigns have systematically devastated Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, military production sites, critical railway hubs, and other vital facilities. Military experts suggest these attacks, including those on residential neighborhoods, are part of a calculated strategy to erode the Ukrainian people’s resolve to continue fighting.
Despite a lack of significant breakthroughs on the battlefield in recent months, Russia has escalated the intensity of its bombardments, seemingly aiming to overwhelm Ukraine’s advanced air defense capabilities.
Russia’s reliance on attack drones has grown significantly, fueled by a dramatic increase in their production and manufacturing. In response, Ukraine has also stepped up its long-range drone strikes deep within Russian territory.
This surge in Russian drone deployment, combined with evolving technology and tactical approaches, presents a growing challenge for Ukraine. Early in the conflict, Ukraine held a distinct advantage in drone warfare, but Moscow has progressively diminished that edge.
The escalating drone threat has underscored the urgent need for effective countermeasures. This week in Kyiv, General Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraine’s highest-ranking military commander, announced the formation of a new Air Force branch dedicated to unmanned air-defense systems, specifically designed to combat this burgeoning danger.
General Syrsky further detailed that Ukraine is adapting helicopters with specialized equipment to intercept drones and is even experimenting with light aircraft fitted with machine-gun mounts for the same purpose.
Concurrently, Ukraine remains dependent on its Western allies for advanced air-defense systems, which are crucial for protection against Russia’s most destructive ballistic missiles.
President Zelensky confirmed on Saturday that Ukraine recently acquired a Patriot air defense system from Israel, with two additional systems anticipated in the fall. He refrained from disclosing the identity of the providing nations for these upcoming systems.
The American-manufactured Patriot system is renowned globally for its unparalleled ability to reliably intercept ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials widely acknowledge its role in saving countless lives.
On Sunday, President Zelensky reiterated his pledge to retaliate against the recent strikes, simultaneously calling upon Ukraine’s allies to exert sustained pressure on Russia for an immediate cease-fire agreement.
“This vile attack came virtually as the close of U.N. General Assembly week, and this is exactly how Russia declares its true position,” President Zelensky concluded, highlighting Russia’s ongoing defiance.