Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia has launched one of its most intense and sustained attacks on Ukraine in months, subjecting the capital city of Kyiv and other regions to a relentless 12-hour barrage of missiles and drones. The overnight assault, which began late Sunday and continued into Monday morning, has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, according to Ukrainian officials.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “vile and cowardly,” stating that the strikes targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas, causing widespread power outages and significant damage. Emergency services are currently on the ground across the country, racing to rescue civilians trapped under rubble and extinguish fires.

The scale of the bombardment has triggered a swift international response. Neighboring Poland, a NATO member, scrambled its fighter jets and temporarily closed its airspace as a precautionary measure due to the proximity of the attacks to its border. The move underscores the growing concern among Eastern European nations about the potential for the conflict to spill over.

The attack comes as world leaders conclude the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the war in Ukraine has been a central topic of discussion. The latest escalation is seen by many analysts as a defiant message from Moscow in the face of mounting international pressure and sanctions.

Military experts are still assessing the strategic objectives of the massive strike, but it appears to be a concerted effort to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of the coming winter and to terrorize the civilian population. The Ukrainian military has reported downing a significant number of the incoming projectiles but has acknowledged that many have hit their targets. The international community is expected to issue further condemnations and potentially new sanctions in response to the deadly assault.