Russia launched a fresh wave of drone attacks on Kyiv on Wednesday, killing at least two people and injuring 23 others, Ukrainian officials said, hours before President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to address world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.
The daylight strikes followed overnight attacks that damaged buildings and triggered fires in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine. Authorities reported thick smoke over parts of the capital as emergency crews responded to the damage and searched affected areas.
The latest assault comes amid a recent intensification of Russian aerial attacks, with drones increasingly being used to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Ukraine has also continued its long-range drone campaign against targets inside Russia, including oil facilities.
Zelenskyy was in New York for the annual UN gathering, where he has been seeking additional international support for Ukraine as the war continues. He also met with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain ongoing.
The Ukrainian president has been pushing for stronger air-defense capabilities, particularly additional Patriot missile systems, as Russia continues to use large numbers of drones and missiles against Ukrainian targets.
The attacks have also raised renewed concerns about Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is prepared to discuss a possible truce covering attacks on energy facilities if Russia agrees to halt its own strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Russia has maintained that its strikes target military and strategic facilities, while Ukrainian authorities and international organizations have repeatedly reported damage and casualties in civilian areas.
The latest attack adds to the growing humanitarian toll of the war and comes at a politically significant moment, with Zelenskyy using his appearance at the UN to press for greater international support and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.
As aerial attacks continue on both sides, civilians in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities remain exposed to a conflict that has entered its fifth year with no lasting peace agreement in place.
Swifteradio.com
