Ukraine’s capital endured one of the heaviest bombardments since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, as hundreds of drones and missiles rained down on Kyiv and other regions overnight Sunday. This marked Russia’s biggest strike on Kyiv since 2022.
According to Ukrainian officials, at least four people were killed, including a 12-year-old girl, while 10 others were injured in Kyiv alone. In Zaporizhzhia, a separate wave of drone strikes left 16 wounded, among them three children. Rescue crews continued to search through rubble into the morning.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 595 drones and decoys along with 48 missiles, of which 566 drones and 45 missiles were intercepted or jammed. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the assault, calling it one of the largest aerial offensives in recent memory.
Moscow’s Claim vs. Kyiv’s Reality
The Russian defence ministry admitted to carrying out the strikes, saying they targeted Ukraine’s “defence industry facilities and military airfields” with “high-precision, long-range weapons.” Ukrainian authorities, however, accused Moscow of deliberately hitting civilian infrastructure, including residential blocks and a rubber factory.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the timing of the attack to the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York. “While the world debates peace, Russia shows its true face: terror and war,” he said in a late-night address.
NATO Neighbours on Edge
The strikes triggered immediate alarm across NATO’s eastern flank. Poland scrambled fighter jets and briefly closed airspace over Lublin and Rzeszow, cities near the Ukrainian border, citing heightened risks. The move follows incidents earlier this month when Russian drones crossed into Polish territory, some intercepted by NATO aircraft.
Estonia also accused Moscow of repeated airspace violations, while Romania confirmed narrowly avoiding a drone strike on its soil. Both Poland and Estonia have since invoked NATO Article 4 consultations, demanding urgent dialogue on security threats.
Europe Prepares a ‘Drone Wall’
In Brussels, EU officials accelerated plans for a “drone wall” spanning member states’ eastern borders. Defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius explained that the system will integrate radar, acoustic sensors, and interception drones. “We must stop spending €1 million to destroy a drone worth €10,000; the economics must change,” he told reporters.
The EU is also considering a €140 billion loan for Ukraine, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets, to support Kyiv’s defense and reconstruction needs.
Russia Pushes Back at UN
At the UN, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov denied Moscow intends to attack NATO or EU countries, warning that “any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response.” He dismissed the idea of Ukraine reclaiming pre-2022 borders as “politically blind.”
Trump’s Pivot, Zelenskyy’s Plea
In Washington, US President Donald Trump signaled a rare shift in tone, suggesting Ukraine could regain “all its original borders” with strong NATO and EU support. His remarks contrast sharply with earlier calls for Kyiv to compromise.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, doubled down on demands for tougher sanctions. He urged allies to impose a total ban on Russian imports and shut down so-called “shadow naval” routes enabling Moscow’s energy exports.
Baltic & Nordic Tensions Rise
Beyond Ukraine, unidentified drones were spotted over Danish military bases for a second consecutive night. The incursions, coupled with earlier disruptions at Copenhagen and Oslo airports, prompted NATO to reinforce its Baltic Sea presence with additional surveillance aircraft and an air-defence frigate.
So far, no direct evidence links Russia to the Scandinavian drone activity, but European officials are treating the incidents as part of a wider escalation.
