Russia has continuously launched drone attacks across many areas of Ukraine, including central Kyiv, resulting in at least 10 deaths and over 80 injuries. Meanwhile, the National Science Institute building in Ukraine was hit by drones, causing a fire and severe damage.
On 28 Sep, Russia began a large-scale air assault across Ukraine using drones to strike multiple cities, including Kyiv. According to Ukrainian authorities, this caused at least 10 deaths and more than 80 injuries. The attacks damaged residential buildings, offices, gas stations, data centers, and various civilian infrastructure.
In Kyiv, Russian drones struck the National Science Institute building located in the city center, causing a fire and severe damage to parts of the building. Rescue teams rushed to search for individuals possibly trapped under debris, while some officials escaped by climbing out of windows and descending ladders provided by firefighters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that 9 people died and over 80 were injured nationwide during these attacks, with the death toll later rising to at least 10. In Kyiv, 24 were wounded and at least 2 died from the strike on the National Science Institute building, according to officials.
Zelensky stated that Russia used more than 120 drones to attack Ukraine in one day, about 90 of which were jet-engine drones. Ukraine intercepted only approximately 57% of these due to their higher speed and altitude compared to the propeller drones previously used by Russia.
Zelensky said Ukraine is testing new drone interception systems and accelerating the development of air defense capabilities to counter Russia's high-speed drones.
Besides Kyiv, the southeastern city of Dnipro was also attacked when Russian drones struck an office building during working hours, killing 3 and injuring several dozen. Deaths were also reported in Synelnykove, and 32 people were injured in infrastructure attacks in Zaporizhzhia.
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, an attack on a nine-story residential building injured 43 people, including 11 children. Odessa also suffered damage to residential buildings and had 3 injured from attacks.
Russia also targeted economic and infrastructure sites such as pharmaceutical companies, gas stations, data centers, and the Nova Poshta postal company’s distribution center. The Russian Defense Ministry said some targets included data centers and gas stations in Kyiv, as well as cargo ships in the Black Sea and the port of Chornomorsk.
Meanwhile, Ukraine stated Russia is increasing attacks on economic targets beyond warehouses, ports, and energy infrastructure, recently striking data centers and telecommunications systems as well.
Zelensky revealed Ukrainian military intelligence reports that Russia is mobilizing new forces by expanding recruitment through various channels. He noted about 8,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia since 2024 remain there, with another 10,000 currently in training. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied any new mobilization plans, calling such claims completely baseless.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha accused Russia of deliberately attacking the Science Institute during working hours and urged allied nations to increase air defense support for Ukraine.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to strike targets within Russia. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces attacked two defense factories in the Tula and Voronezh regions, as well as oil infrastructure in the Krasnodar region in western and southern Russia, using long-range drones to repeatedly strike fuel depots and industrial plants.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated its air defense systems shot down 254 Ukrainian drones overnight but did not disclose full details of the damage caused by the attacks.
The latest wave of attacks followed diplomatic efforts at the United Nations last week to push for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said rapid progress in peace talks remains unlikely and insisted Ukraine must pay for recent attacks. Both Russia and Ukraine deny intentionally targeting civilians.
/sourceReuters/Associated Press