Russia unleashed one of its largest combined drone-and-missile attacks in months across Ukraine early Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, prompting air raid sirens from Kyiv to Odesa and triggering allied aircraft deployments in Poland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said strikes hit nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Kharkiv, targeting infrastructure, residential areas and civilian enterprises.
"All night, Ukraine was under a massive attack by Russia," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. "Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorise civilians and destroy our infrastructure." Ukraine's air force reported that 552 of 619 drones, two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles were intercepted, limiting damage but failing to prevent casualties and significant destruction in several cities.
In Dnipro, a missile carrying cluster munitions slammed into a multistory apartment building, killing one person and injuring at least 26, according to regional officials. Two others were killed in separate strikes in the Chernihiv and Khmelnytskyi regions. Dnipropetrovsk Gov. Serhii Lysak said several high-rises and homes were damaged. "The enemy's target was our infrastructure, residential areas and civilian enterprises," Zelenskyy added.
Kyiv residents described the fear as swarms of drones buzzed overhead. "I could hear the 'Shahed' getting closer and closer. I understood it was flying towards us. My child and I were very frightened," said Yulia Chystokletova, a Kyiv resident. "It should not be happening in the 21st century. We are all people. Agree... sit down at the negotiating table."
Polish and NATO-aligned aircraft scrambled overnight as Russian missiles targeted western Ukraine near the Polish border. Poland's Operational Command said the mission was "preventive" and designed to secure airspace near the threatened zone. The move came days after NATO jets shot down Russian drones over Poland, and amid heightened concern that Moscow's campaign could spill beyond Ukraine.
Ukraine struck back overnight, hitting two Russian oil refineries in Samara and Saratov, causing explosions and fires. The Novokuibyshevsk Refinery, a key producer of jet fuel operated by Rosneft, was among the facilities hit. Samara's regional governor, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, later reported four deaths from the attack. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces intercepted 149 Ukrainian drones overnight and claimed strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial targets using precision weapons.
Beyond the battlefield, the escalation is poised to dominate next week's United Nations General Assembly meetings, where Zelenskyy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss long-term security guarantees and sanctions. "I would like to receive signals for myself on how close we are to understanding that the security guarantees from all partners will be the kind we need," Zelenskyy said, adding that sanctions must remain in play if peace talks stall.
