President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine on the eve of the UN General Assembly, and said the world must strengthen sanctions against Moscow.
According to the president, rescue operations and rubble clearance are ongoing in the Zaporizhzhia city after Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure and residential buildings with guided aerial bombs (KABs).
“As of now, three people have been killed. My condolences to their families,” he wrote on Telegram.
Zelensky added that Donetsk, Dnipro, Sumy, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson regions were hit by drones overnight.
According to the Air Force, from 21:00 on Sept. 21, Russian troops attacked with 141 Shahed, Geran and other types of attack UAVs - about 80 of them Shaheds.
The attacks were countered by aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare, unmanned systems and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces.
“As of 08:30, air defenses shot down or suppressed 132 enemy drones across the north, south, east, and center of the country,” the report said.
Despite this, nine drones struck seven locations, while debris from downed UAVs fell at eight others.
Between 4 and 6 a.m. on Sept. 22, Russia also carried out an airstrike on Zaporizhzhia’s infrastructure.
“The launches of KABs from enemy tactical aircraft near occupied Tokmak were recorded. Unfortunately, there are dead and injured civilians,” the Air Force reported.
According to Zelensky, a bread factory, a school and a kindergarten were damaged in the Sumy region, where one person was injured. A school in Malotaranivka, the Donetsk region, was also destroyed.
The president added that emergency services are working wherever necessary.
Separately, Zelensky recalled that the UN General Assembly is beginning its work, stressing that this is the fourth time Russia has accompanied the annual diplomatic event with deadly attacks.
“That is why it is so important that this diplomatic week is productive. We must act so that murders and war do not become routine. We need strong pressure on Russia, new joint steps by everyone in the world who believes that international law should work again,” Zelensky said.
He added that sanctions, political pressure and accountability for Russia are essential, and expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s partners for their support.
As per the previous Kyiv Post report, Russia launched a series of overnight strikes on Ukraine using attack drones and KABs, causing casualties and widespread damage.
In Zaporizhzhia, five KABs targeted civilian infrastructure, destroying several cars and damaging buildings. The State Emergency Service later confirmed three deaths and two injuries. Rescue teams worked to clear rubble, extinguish fires, and assist affected residents.
Across the affected areas, 15 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, and several non-residential premises were damaged.
In the Kyiv region, a strike in Boryspil caused fires in homes and a three-story building, injuring one person. Other districts, including Vyshhorod, Fastiv and Obukhiv, also suffered damage from fires and drone debris.
Sumy also saw drone strikes on industrial and educational facilities, leaving one person injured and shattering windows in nearby apartments.