Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned one of the most intense overnight aerial bombardments by Russia in recent months, calling it a “vile” and “dastardly” attack that left at least four people dead and more than 40 injured across seven regions of Ukraine. The strikes, which lasted over 12 hours, marked a brutal escalation in Moscow’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year.
The attack, launched late Saturday and continuing into Sunday morning, involved nearly 600 drones and several dozen missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The most heavily targeted areas included Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa.
In a national address, Zelensky confirmed that among the dead was a 12-year-old girl in Kyiv. The capital’s Institute of Cardiology was one of several civilian facilities damaged during the assault. A large bakery, a rubber automobile factory, apartment buildings, and other critical infrastructure were also hit.
Zelensky Promises Retaliation and Calls for Global Support
“This was not just another attack — it was a message from Russia,” said Zelensky, emphasizing that the strikes were meant to terrorize civilians and demonstrate Moscow’s refusal to seek peace. “They want to continue fighting and killing. This is their answer to diplomacy.”
In Zaporizhzhia, at least 16 people were injured, including three children. Regional governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed that two boys aged 11 and 12, and a 9-year-old girl, were among the injured. One of the boys suffered serious injuries from an explosion, while the other was hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning. Both are currently in critical condition.
In the Sumy region, officials reported the death of a 59-year-old man from missile strikes within the past 24 hours.
Amid the devastation, Zelensky vowed that Ukraine will strike back and intensify its military response. “We will retaliate to force diplomacy,” he said. “We are counting on a strong reaction from our allies in Europe and the United States. Russia’s brutality must not go unpunished.”
Zelensky highlighted the symbolic timing of the attack, noting it occurred just as the UN General Assembly concluded. “This is how Russia declares its real position to the world — through violence, not dialogue.”
The Ukrainian leader reiterated his support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks advocating for tougher sanctions on Russia and renewed his appeal for European nations to curb their imports of Russian oil and gas.
The latest Russian bombardment follows a growing pattern of regional escalation. Early Sunday, Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to Russian strikes on western Ukraine near its border. The Polish military called the deployment “preventative,” citing the routine threat of airspace violations.
Poland and other NATO member states have been on heightened alert since September 10, when Russian drones were shot down inside Polish airspace. Similar airspace breaches have occurred over Denmark, Estonia, and Romania, prompting NATO to launch a mission aimed at reinforcing its eastern flank.
Danish authorities earlier this week reported drone activity over multiple airports and said the incidents likely involved a “professional actor.” While they stopped short of directly blaming Russia, the implication was clear.
Zelensky warned on Saturday that Moscow’s aggression would not stop with Ukraine. “Russia is testing Europe’s air defenses. These incursions are a warning sign — if the world doesn’t act now, the consequences will spread.”
As of Sunday afternoon, Russia had not officially commented on the aerial attack. However, in a speech at the UN, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied any plans to target EU or NATO members, while simultaneously warning of a “decisive response” to any perceived aggression against Moscow.
His comments were seen as a veiled threat, especially in light of Trump’s recent suggestion that NATO nations should consider shooting down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace.
The United States has so far refrained from escalating the situation with new sanctions but has made it clear that it expects Russia to engage seriously in peace negotiations. Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will not enter talks under duress, especially while its cities are under fire.
Despite the mounting toll of the war, Zelensky remains defiant. He praised emergency services and volunteers for their tireless work in the aftermath of the attack and vowed that Ukraine would endure.
“This is our home, our people, and our future. We are not giving up,” he said.
With the international community watching closely, the coming days may prove critical in shaping how the West responds to Moscow’s latest act of aggression — and how far Zelensky is willing to go to force Russia to the negotiating table.
Source- BBC
