At least three people have been killed and more than 30 injured in a massive overnight Russian aerial attack on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky says.
He states that regions across the country were targeted as part of a deliberate strategy to intimidate civilians and destroy our infrastructure, with one direct missile hit reported on a residential building.
According to Ukraine's air force, Moscow launched 619 drones and missiles. However, Russia’s defense ministry claims its massive strike employed precision weapons aimed at military-industrial facilities.
In a related event, Russia reported four fatalities from a Ukrainian drone attack in the Saratov region, asserting that a major oil refinery was hit.
Ukraine also asserted that another Russian refinery in the Samara region was damaged.
The claims from both sides have not been independently verified by the BBC.
Cross-border drone raids have become a notable tactic in the conflict. Recently, a Ukrainian drone assault led to the temporary closure of all Moscow airports.
Kyiv continues to target significant Russian industrial sites, crucial for sustaining Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Moscow has ramped up its aerial attacks in recent weeks, while Kyiv and its Western allies, including the US, are urging for a ceasefire.
Earlier this month, a Russian Iskander cruise missile struck the main government building in Kyiv.
Zelensky announced plans to meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Despite ongoing efforts for a resolution, no agreement was reached during Trump's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, and recent aerial assaults have spurred heightened tensions, particularly following violations of airspace by Russian jets over Estonia and NATO member countries.
The situation remains precarious as both sides continue their military operations in a prolonged conflict.
