Russian drones strike Zaporizhzhia following Ukraine's massive 1,000-drone assault

Russian unmanned aircraft bombarded the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, striking residential blocks, a university and a mall and injuring five civilians. Kyiv’s forces had launched a massive drone offensive, deploying over 1,000 drones against Russian targets, including Moscow, during the final day of its parliamentary election. Russia’s defence ministry said its air defences shot down 244 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine’s air force claimed to have neutralised 148 Russian drones in the same period.

The strikes extended to nine other Ukrainian regions, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to warn of Russia’s readiness to broaden the war. As world leaders convene at the U.N. General Assembly, Zelenskyy expects to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, whereas President Vladimir Putin will not attend. Meanwhile, Moldova temporarily shut part of its northern airspace after an aerial object entered its territory, highlighting the spill-over risk of the drone campaign.