Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly denounced a sustained Russian aerial assault that lasted over 12 hours, calling the attack “vile and brutal” and accusing Moscow of waging deliberate terror against civilians and urban centres.
The onslaught, which struck Kyiv and multiple regions throughout the night and into the early morning, involved nearly 600 drones and dozens of missiles, according to Ukraine’s military. At least four people were killed — including a 12-year-old girl — and more than 70 were wounded as residential buildings, medical facilities, and infrastructure sustained heavy damage. In Kyiv alone, a cardiology clinic was struck, and a nurse and patient reportedly died in that hit.
In his response, Zelensky drew a stark contrast between Moscow’s rhetoric and its actions, writing that “this is how Russia shows its real position. Moscow wants to keep fighting and killing and deserves only the harshest pressure in the world.” He urged stronger sanctions, especially on Russian energy exports, and called on U.S. and European allies to step up their support.
The timing of the assault was notable: it coincided with the conclusion of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, during which Zelensky had engaged with global leaders to press for increased aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Poland scrambled fighter jets and closed airspace over parts of its territory in precaution, as Russia struck western Ukrainian regions as well.
Though Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted many incoming threats, the attack demonstrated the scale of Moscow’s capabilities and its readiness to launch wide-ranging offensives. As recovery crews search through rubble in the capital, solidarity and condemnation from international capitals are growing, highlighting the intensifying geopolitical stakes in the conflict.
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