Russia Launches Extensive Drone and Missile Assault on Ukraine, Resulting in Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage

KYIV — Russia conducted a significant drone and missile offensive across Ukraine overnight, leading to three civilian deaths, numerous injuries, and widespread damage to infrastructure and residential buildings, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on Saturday.

Despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict ignited by Russia’s invasion in February 2022, hostilities have escalated in recent months.

In a Telegram statement, Zelenskyy detailed that approximately 580 drones and 40 missiles targeted various infrastructure sites, civilian manufacturing centers, and residential zones across the country. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted 552 drones and 31 missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force.

Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, describing them as part of a deliberate campaign to terrorize civilians rather than military necessity. He stated, "All night, Ukraine was under a massive attack by Russia. Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure." Russia has denied targeting civilian areas.

In the central city of Dnipro, a missile armed with cluster munitions struck a residential apartment building, causing one death and injuring at least 26 individuals, regional authorities reported. Two additional fatalities occurred in the Chernihiv and Khmelnytskyi regions, according to local officials.

Residents described the harrowing experience, with Yulia Chystokletova from Kyiv recounting, "I could hear the "Shahed" drone getting closer and closer. I understood it was flying towards us. My child and I were very frightened. It should not be happening in the 21st century. We are all people. Agree... sit down at the negotiating table."

Military pressure continues to mount, particularly in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces persist in a slow advance, destroying villages and acquiring new territory.

Both Ukraine and Russia have intensified drone warfare, with Russia deploying large swarms of hundreds of drones per attack, a shift from earlier strikes involving only dozens. Ukraine has responded with drone offensives targeting refineries, fuel depots, and logistical hubs within Russia.

Ukraine’s General Staff reported successful drone attacks on two Russian oil refineries located in the Saratov and Samara regions, resulting in explosions and fires overnight. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s growing drone capabilities, noting, "We have drones, we know how to produce them. It all depends on the number of drones we use per day. As soon as the number of drones is comparable to that of the Russians, they will feel it in terms of fuel shortages and the number of queues at petrol stations."

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its forces conducted precise strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial targets during the night.

In response to airstrikes near the western border with NATO member Poland, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed early Saturday to safeguard Polish airspace, according to the Polish military command.