Individuals gather at the ruins of an apartment complex devastated by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
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Efrem Lukatsky/AP
KYIV, Ukraine – Overnight into Sunday, a devastating wave of Russian drone and missile strikes targeted Ukraine, with Kyiv enduring the most severe damage. At least four fatalities were reported amid the onslaught.
This marks the first significant aerial attack on Kyiv since last month’s air raid that claimed over 20 lives.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Administration, confirmed the casualties on Telegram, noting that ten others sustained injuries. Among the deceased was a 12-year-old girl. Dense plumes of black smoke were visible from an explosion near the city’s core.
“The tally of children lost to Russian attacks has resumed,” Tkachenko lamented on Telegram.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X to report that the assault involved nearly 500 strike drones alongside more than 40 missiles.
Beyond Kyiv, the missile and drone strikes extended to several other regions including Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa. Zelenskyy reported that at least 40 individuals were injured nationwide.
Ivan Fedorov, the head of Zaporizhzhia’s regional administration, revealed that among the 27 wounded in the area were three children. He also noted that the city of Zaporizhzhia suffered damage to over two dozen buildings.
“This despicable attack coincided with the conclusion of the UN General Assembly week, starkly revealing Russia’s true stance. Moscow is determined to continue its aggression and bloodshed, warranting the strongest global condemnation,” Zelenskyy stated.
During his address at the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assured world leaders that Russia has no plans to attack Europe but warned of a “decisive response” to any hostile acts.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the strikes, which began overnight and persisted into Sunday morning, hit residential neighborhoods, civilian infrastructure, a healthcare facility, and a kindergarten. Damage was confirmed at more than 20 sites throughout the capital.
At Kyiv’s central train station, the atmosphere was tense as anti-aircraft fire crackled and the hum of attack drones filled the air. Predominantly women waited silently in the platform underpass during the air raid alert, with parents checking updates on their phones and children engaged in online games.
Residents and emergency workers clear rubble from an apartment complex hit by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
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Efrem Lukatsky/AP
One woman at the station, who identified herself only as Erika, remarked, “The sky has darkened again. This is becoming a frequent occurrence.”
A multi-story residential building suffered severe damage from the drone strike, with upper floors gutted and windows shattered. Firefighters equipped with ladder trucks and power saws worked to clear debris as residents, visibly shaken, sat nearby on benches surrounded by broken glass.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as involving “hundreds of drones and missiles,” emphasizing the need to “maximize the cost of further escalation for Russia” in a post on X.
Russian authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the overnight strikes.
The bombardment also prompted a military reaction in neighboring Poland, where fighter jets were scrambled early Sunday morning as Russian forces targeted western Ukraine, according to Polish military sources. These actions were described as precautionary measures.
Concerns have intensified internationally about the conflict spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders, especially after incidents involving Russian drones landing in Poland and Russian aircraft entering Estonian airspace. Russia has denied these incursions, asserting that none of its drones targeted Poland and that its planes did not violate Estonian airspace.
The recent wave of attacks comes shortly after President Zelenskyy announced a substantial $90 billion arms agreement with the United States, which includes a major weapons deal alongside a separate contract for U.S. procurement of Ukrainian-made drones.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 41 Ukrainian drones during the overnight assault.
