Russian drones struck the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday, a day after Ukrainian forces launched more than 1,000 drones toward Russia, according to officials.
The continued wave of attacks highlights the lack of major progress in diplomatic efforts to end the war more than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Fighting continues as world leaders gather this week for the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during the event, while Russian President Vladimir Putin is not scheduled to attend.
Trump comments on Ukraine drone strikes
President Donald Trump on Monday described the war as “ridiculous” and said Russia had lost control of part of its diesel oil production after Ukrainian forces targeted Russian refineries with long-range drones.
“A large number of (Russian) diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission,” Trump said in a social media post.
Earlier this month, Trump called on Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian refineries, arguing that the strikes were contributing to global supply concerns and higher energy prices.
Zelenskyy responded that Ukraine has presented multiple diplomatic proposals aimed at ending the war while securing its future security.
“Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will lead to matching de-escalation steps on our part,” Zelenskyy said.
Russian attacks hit civilian areas in Ukraine
The Russian bombardment of Zaporizhzhia late Sunday damaged apartment buildings, a university and a shopping mall, among other locations, injuring five people, according to Zelenskyy.
Russia also launched attacks against nine other Ukrainian regions, he said.
In northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, a Russian drone strike hit a residential building, killing a 45-year-old woman and seriously injuring her 13-year-old son, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
“Russia is not backing down from its escalation and is sending many signals that it is ready to expand the war,” Zelenskyy said.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces targeted Ukrainian logistics hubs, warehouses, ports and other military-related facilities overnight.
Ukraine launches large drone attack on Russia
The Russian strikes followed a major Ukrainian drone operation from Saturday to Sunday, which included hundreds of drones aimed at Moscow during the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed 244 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted or disrupted 148 Russian drones during an overnight attack.
Moldova reports new airspace incident
Drone activity has also raised concerns among neighboring countries, with several incidents involving airspace violations and drone debris reported in recent weeks.
Moldova’s Ministry of Defense said Monday that part of its northern airspace was temporarily closed after surveillance systems detected an unidentified aerial object entering the country shortly after midnight.
Officials said it was unclear whether the drone was Russian or Ukrainian, as electronic interference can push drones off course. However, Moldova has repeatedly accused Moscow of actions connected to the conflict.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has strongly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and warned that the conflict is increasingly affecting countries near the Ukrainian border.
Romania has also reported a rise in drone incursions into its airspace, adding to concerns about the wider regional impact of the war.
