Russia carried out a massive missile and drone strike across Ukraine early Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, Ukrainian officials confirmed.

Russia Strikes Nine Regions Across Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack hit nine regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv.

“The enemy’s target was our infrastructure, residential areas and civilian enterprises,” Zelenskyy stated on his official Telegram channel. He revealed that a missile equipped with cluster munitions struck a multi-story building in Dnipro, causing widespread damage and casualties.

“Each such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to intimidate civilians and destroy our infrastructure,” he said.

Local officials reported heavy damage in Dnipro, including several high-rise buildings and homes. Serhii Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, confirmed that at least 30 people were injured in the strike.

In the Kyiv region, authorities reported attacks in Bucha, Boryspil, and Obukhiv, damaging a home and several vehicles. In the western Lviv region, Governor Maxim Kozytsky said Ukrainian forces successfully shot down two cruise missiles.

Ukrainian Air Defenses Respond Strongly

Ukraine’s Air Force revealed the scale of the assault, reporting that Russia launched 619 drones and missiles in total. These included 579 drones, eight ballistic missiles, and 32 cruise missiles.

Ukrainian forces neutralized 552 drones, shot down two ballistic missiles, and destroyed 29 cruise missiles.

“During the air strike, tactical aviation, in particular F-16 fighters, effectively worked on the enemy’s cruise missiles,” the Air Force stated. They highlighted that “Western weapons once again prove their effectiveness on the battlefield.”

Russia Denies Violating Estonia’s Airspace

Meanwhile, tensions rose further in Europe. Estonia accused Russia of violating its airspace on Friday after three Russian fighter jets reportedly crossed into its territory without permission and stayed for 12 minutes.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the incursion as “unprecedentedly brazen.” The incident came just a week after NATO planes downed Russian drones over Poland, sparking fears that the war in Ukraine could spill beyond its borders.

However, Russia’s Defense Ministry denied the violation, claiming the jets never entered Estonian territory.

“On September 19, three MiG-31 fighter jets completed a scheduled flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region,” Moscow stated. “The flight was conducted in strict compliance with international airspace regulations and did not violate the borders of other states.”

Estonia has since summoned a Russian diplomat and begun consultations with NATO allies under Article 4, which requires discussions whenever a member’s security or territorial integrity is threatened.

Zelenskyy Plans Talks with Trump at UN General Assembly

Looking ahead, President Zelenskyy confirmed that he will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of next week’s United Nations General Assembly session.

He said he hopes to finalize discussions on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. “I would like to receive signals for myself on how close we are to understanding that the security guarantees from all partners will be the kind we need,” he stated.

According to Zelenskyy, European nations are ready to move forward, provided the United States remains fully engaged. Talks have taken place at multiple levels, including between military leaders from Europe and the US.

Additionally, he plans to press Trump for stronger sanctions against Russia if peace talks stall. “If the war continues and there is no movement toward peace, we expect sanctions,” Zelenskyy said. He added that Trump wants to see decisive action from European nations as well.

Humanitarian Talks Also Planned

Zelenskyy revealed that the first ladies of Ukraine and the US will hold separate talks during the UN meetings. These discussions will focus on humanitarian issues, particularly involving children affected by the war.

These comments, made on Friday, were under embargo and released Saturday morning.

Rising Tensions in Eastern Europe

The large-scale attack and the escalating tensions with NATO countries highlight the increasing risks of the conflict spilling over into Europe.

As Ukraine continues to defend its territory, Zelenskyy’s upcoming meetings in New York could prove critical for shaping future international support and security guarantees.