Russia launches 277 drones at Ukraine, including 155 jet-powered drones, as attacks kill two people near Kyiv and injure nine in the capital.
Russia launches 277 drones at Ukraine in a major wave of attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, with 155 of the drones reportedly powered by jet engines.
The attacks took place over roughly a day as Russian forces targeted Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported deaths and injuries, while several civilian and communications facilities were damaged in the capital.
Zelensky said the 277 drones were of various types and that the large number of jet-powered drones represented a growing challenge for Ukraine’s air-defence systems.
The latest wave of attacks caused damage across Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said nine people were injured in the capital, including a child, with six of those injured receiving hospital treatment.
A drone also struck a residential building in Kyiv, causing a fire. Other reported damage included areas near a kindergarten and playground, as well as communications infrastructure.
Zelensky said buildings used for education, housing, communications and other civilian purposes were damaged during the attacks. He also said a building used as the residence of the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Kyiv was damaged.
The attacks were not limited to the capital region. Ukrainian officials reported deadly strikes in other areas, including Sumy and Kharkiv.
Two People Killed in Kyiv Region Drone Attack
Outside Kyiv, a Russian drone strike hit a market in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, on the western outskirts of the capital, according to Ukrainian prosecutors.
The attack killed two people and injured about 10, according to reporting by Reuters. The casualties were reported separately from the nine people injured in Kyiv itself.
Images from the area showed fires, damaged vehicles and debris following the strike. Emergency services responded to the scene as authorities assessed the damage.
In Sumy, regional officials said two people were killed when glide bombs struck near a family support centre. In Kharkiv, prosecutors reported that a drone struck a vehicle, killing the driver.
The latest attacks demonstrate the continuing scale of aerial strikes in the Russia-Ukraine war, with drones being used alongside other weapons against targets across Ukraine.
The 155 jet-powered drones identified by Zelensky are part of a newer development in Russia’s drone campaign.
Jet-powered variants can fly faster and at higher altitudes than many earlier propeller-driven drones, making them more difficult for some Ukrainian air-defence systems to intercept. Reuters reported earlier in September that the increased use of these drones has placed additional pressure on Ukraine’s air defences.
BBC Verify also reported that Russian use of jet-powered drones increased sharply during the summer, with Ukrainian Air Force data showing a substantial rise in such attacks between June and August.
Ukraine has been developing new interceptor drones and other systems specifically to counter the faster jet-powered weapons. Zelensky has previously called for accelerated production of high-speed interceptors to respond to the changing threat.
The latest attack therefore comes as Ukraine attempts to expand its ability to detect and intercept increasingly fast aerial weapons.
Zelensky Calls for Stronger Response
Following the attacks, Zelensky called for continued international pressure on Russia and argued that the strikes were inconsistent with efforts to reduce tensions.
He said Russia had continued launching large numbers of drones while diplomatic discussions about possible de-escalation were taking place. Zelensky also called for stronger sanctions against Russia.
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly urged international partners to strengthen air-defence support and increase economic pressure on Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had targeted Ukrainian military-related infrastructure, including data centres and a logistics facility. Both Moscow and Kyiv have denied intentionally targeting civilians.
The latest attacks come amid continued Russian and Ukrainian strikes and ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the war.
For Ukraine, the increased use of jet-powered drones presents an additional challenge because of their speed and flight characteristics. Ukrainian authorities are therefore seeking additional air-defence systems and developing lower-cost interceptors to counter the threat.
The Russia launches 277 drones attack wave has once again highlighted the scale of aerial warfare over Ukraine. With 155 of the reported drones using jet propulsion, the latest assault also underscores the growing role of faster drone technology in the conflict.
Ukrainian emergency services continue to assess damage from the attacks, while authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.
