Russian forces executed an extensive drone and missile assault on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals.
This offensive, predominantly aimed at the capital city of Kyiv, marked the first major aerial bombardment since the war’s largest barrage last month. Tymur Tkachenko, who heads the Kyiv City Administration, confirmed the casualties from Sunday via Telegram and noted that 10 people were also injured in the attack. Among the deceased was a 12-year-old girl, he stated.
“The child death counter has been reactivated by the Russians,” Tkachenko wrote.
Ukraine’s air force reported on Sunday that Russia launched a total of 595 exploding drones and decoys, alongside 48 missiles. Of these, Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down or jammed 566 drones and 45 missiles, they confirmed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that, in addition to Kyiv, the bombardment targeted the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa. He stated that at least 70 people sustained injuries nationwide.
“This reprehensible attack occurred virtually at the close of UN General Assembly week, and it precisely reveals its true position. Moscow wishes to continue fighting and killing, and it merits the strongest global pressure,” Zelenskyy communicated in a statement shared on social media.
Sunday’s extensive shelling follows a shift in President Donald Trump’s tone toward Ukraine during the United Nations General Assembly last week. Instead of focusing on a peace agreement with Putin, Trump encouraged Ukraine to engage Russia through all possible means.
“I believe Ukraine, with the backing of the European Union, is in a position to fight and reclaim all of Ukraine to its original state,” he posted on Tuesday on social media.
“Given time, patience, and the financial aid from Europe and, particularly, NATO, returning to the original borders from which this war commenced is a very viable option,” Trump further remarked. “Why not?”
Trump’s comments represent a clear departure from his stance when he initially re-entered office and, during a past interaction, reportedly told Zelenskyy he “[didn’t] have the cards” to challenge Russia, repeatedly suggesting Kyiv would need to make substantial concessions to end the conflict.
Caitlin McFall and The Associated Press contributed to this report.