Russia’s overnight massive attack on Ukraine kills 3

Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Russian defence forces launched a significant drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight, slaying three people and wounding dozens, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday.

On Telegram, Zelenskiy issued a statement saying that Russia had launched around 580 drones and 40 missiles, targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure, civilian production businesses, and residential areas in various regions nationwide.

“Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorise civilians and destroy our infrastructure,”

Zelensky said on social media, demanding Kyiv’s partners provide more air defence systems and struck Moscow with additional sanctions.

How many drones and missiles did Russia launch overnight?

Ukraine’s Air Force has reported that the country’s air defence shot down 552 drones, two ballistic missiles, and 29 cruise missiles. According to the Air Force, Russia launched 579 drones, 8 ballistic missiles, and 32 cruise missiles. Direct strikes were reported in 10 locations, it said.

What damage and casualties were reported across Ukrainian cities?

As reported, explosions were noted in the cities of Pavlohrad and Mykolaiv according to local officials, during the initial wave of missile attacks. Further explosions then occurred in Dnipro.

Regional Governor Serhii Lysak in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reported that one person was killed and 26 others injured in the attack on the region. Fourteen of the injured had to be hospitalised. Several high-rise buildings, homes, and garages in Dnipro were damaged in the attack. Fires were also reported in Pavlohrad and Nikopol.

It follows just over a week after Russian drones breached Polish airspace, prompting Poland’s Air Force to shoot down multiple drones over NATO territory for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

How does this attack compare to the August 2025 strikes?

The most recent serious Russian attack on Ukraine, comparable to this major attack, occurred on August 28, 2025. At that time, Russia launched approximately 598 drones and 31 missiles targeting major Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv. Most of these drones and missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defence, but 18 people died in Kyiv, and there was significant damage to civilian infrastructure.