Russian forces conducted a widespread missile and drone assault on Ukraine early Saturday, resulting in at least three deaths and dozens of injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. The attacks targeted nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes as a deliberate effort to terrorize civilians and dismantle infrastructure, highlighting a missile with cluster munitions that hit a multi-story building in Dnipro.

This incident comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, leading to persistent aerial bombardments and escalating tensions with NATO allies.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, at least 30 people were wounded, with damage reported to high-rise buildings and homes in Dnipro. Strikes also occurred in the Kyiv region, affecting areas like Bucha, Boryspil, and Obukhiv, where homes and vehicles were hit.

In western Lviv, two cruise missiles were intercepted. Zelenskyy emphasized that these actions lack military justification and aim to intimidate the population. Separately, he announced plans to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly next week, with their first ladies discussing humanitarian issues related to children.

Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 619 drones and missiles, including 579 drones, eight ballistic missiles, and 32 cruise missiles. Ukrainian defenses neutralized 552 drones, two ballistic missiles, and 29 cruise missiles. The statement praised the effectiveness of Western-supplied weapons, including F-16 fighters, in countering the assault. This defensive success underscores Ukraine's reliance on international support to bolster its air defenses against repeated Russian aggressions.

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In related developments, Russia's Defense Ministry denied allegations that its MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia's airspace on Friday, insisting the flight over the Baltic Sea adhered to international rules. Estonia, a NATO member, summoned a Russian diplomat and initiated Article 4 consultations among allies, viewing the incident as a brazen provocation. Meanwhile, Poland scrambled jets overnight in response to the Ukrainian strikes, marking another preventive measure amid heightened regional tensions.

Last week, Romania intercepted a drone in its airspace, and NATO downed Russian drones over Poland. Zelenskyy expressed hope to advance long-term security guarantees with partners during New York meetings, stressing the need for sustained sanctions if peace efforts falter.

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