The enemy’s target was our infrastructure, residential areas, and civilian enterprises, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated. He added that a missile armed with cluster munitions struck a multi-storey building in the city of Dnipro.
“Each such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to intimidate civilians and destroy our infrastructure,” Zelenskyy wrote on his official Telegram account.
The Ukrainian President also informed that he expects to meet United States (US) President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week. He added that the first ladies of Ukraine and the US would likely hold separate talks focused on humanitarian issues concerning children.
His comments, made on Friday, were embargoed until Saturday morning.
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At least 30 people were wounded in the attack in Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Several high-rise buildings and homes were damaged in the eastern city of Dnipro, according to the Associated Press (AP).
In the Kyiv region, authorities reported strikes in Bucha, Boryspil, and Obukhiv, which damaged homes and cars. In western Lviv, Governor Maxim Kozytsky said two cruise missiles were shot down.
Russia launched 619 drones and missiles, Ukraine’s Air Force reported. This included 579 drones, eight ballistic missiles, and 32 cruise missiles. Ukrainian forces shot down 552 drones, two ballistic missiles, and 29 cruise missiles.
“Western weapons once again prove their effectiveness on the battlefield,” the Air Force said.
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**Russia Denies Violating Estonia’s Airspace**
Russia’s Defence Ministry denied its aircraft violated Estonia’s airspace after Tallinn reported that three Russian fighter jets crossed into its territory on Friday without permission for 12 minutes. The incident was described by Estonia’s top diplomat as an unprecedentedly brazen incursion.
This occurred just over a week after NATO planes downed Russian drones over Poland, raising fears that the conflict could spill over into NATO territory.
Moscow stated that the MiG-31 fighter jets remained over neutral Baltic Sea waters, more than three kilometres from Estonia’s Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland.
On September 19, the three MiG-31 fighter jets completed a scheduled flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region. The Russian Defence Ministry emphasized that the flight was conducted in strict compliance with international airspace regulations and did not violate the borders of other states, as confirmed through objective monitoring.
Estonian officials said Tallinn summoned a Russian diplomat to protest the incident and initiated consultations among NATO allies under Article 4, which allows members to confer whenever territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
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**Polish and Allied Aircraft Scrambled**
Poland’s Operational Command reported that Polish and allied aircraft were deployed overnight in response to Russian long-range airstrikes in neighbouring Ukraine. The operation was described as preventive and aimed at securing airspace near the threatened zones.
Polish jets have frequently patrolled the country’s airspace in connection with Russian attacks on Ukraine. Last week, Romania deployed two F-16 jets to intercept a drone that briefly entered its airspace.
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**Zelenskyy Seeks to Finalise Security Guarantees in New York Meetings**
President Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its partners have laid the groundwork for long-term security guarantees. He hopes to gauge progress during next week’s meetings in New York.
He added that European nations are ready to move forward with a framework if the United States remains closely engaged, with ongoing discussions among military leadership and general staffs in Europe and the US.
“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,” Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that sanctions against Russia must remain in place if peace efforts stall and stated he would press the issue with President Trump.
“If the war continues and there is no movement toward peace, we expect sanctions,” he said, adding that Trump is seeking strong steps from Europe.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/russia-ukraine-war-three-killed-in-massive-drone-and-missile-attack-across-nine-regions-says-volodymyr-zelenskyy-23594995
