At least three individuals have died and over 30 have sustained injuries following a significant overnight aerial attack by Russia on Ukraine, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The assault reportedly targeted multiple regions throughout the country, with Zelensky describing it as part of a “deliberate strategy” intended to intimidate civilians and damage infrastructure. A missile strike was noted to have directly hit a residential building.
Ukraine’s air force indicated that the attack involved the launch of 619 drones and missiles. In response, the Russian defense ministry claimed the operation utilized “precision weapons” aimed at military-industrial facilities. Concurrently, Russia reported that four fatalities occurred due to a Ukrainian drone attack on the Saratov region, claiming it struck a major oil refinery there. Ukrainian sources have stated that another Russian oil refinery in the neighboring Samara region was also damaged.
The BBC has not been able to independently verify the claims made by either side. Cross-border drone attacks have become increasingly common throughout the conflict, with a notable Ukrainian drone offensive in July that temporarily closed all airports in Moscow.
Ukraine has been actively targeting Russian oil and critical industrial assets as part of its military strategy. Recently, Russia has escalated its aerial attacks on Ukraine, while Kyiv and its Western allies, including the United States, are advocating for a ceasefire. Earlier this month, a Russian Iskander cruise missile struck a government building in Kyiv.
In international relations, Zelensky announced plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. Notably, Trump recently hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in an attempt to foster dialogue towards ending the conflict, although no agreements were reached.
The latest Russian bombing occurred shortly after Estonia sought urgent discussions with other NATO members following an incident where Russian jets reportedly violated its airspace. Russia has denied these allegations, which have contributed to heightened tensions in the region, especially after Poland and Romania reported breaches by Russian drones.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3253gxqvwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss