**Title: Russia Conducts Extensive Drone and Missile Assault on Ukraine**

Ukraine has reported a significant escalation in attacks from Russia, with the capital, Kyiv, experiencing one of the heaviest bombardments since the onset of the full-scale war over three years ago. Ukrainian officials stated that overnight, Russia launched approximately 500 drones and over 40 missiles, resulting in at least four fatalities, including a 12-year-old girl.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the attacks, asserting that "Moscow wants to continue fighting and killing and deserves only the harshest pressure from the world." The strikes occurred shortly after Ukraine received a US-made Patriot air defense system from Israel, which is intended to bolster its defenses against ongoing Russian assaults.

The barrage began late Saturday night and continued into Sunday morning, prompting air raid alerts across many regions of Ukraine. Residents sought refuge in metro stations as anti-aircraft fire echoed throughout the city.

Andrii Sybiga, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, described the situation, stating, "Russia launched another massive air attack on Ukrainian cities while people were sleeping. Again, hundreds of drones and missiles, destroying residential buildings and causing civilian casualties." He shared footage showing flames erupting from a multi-story apartment building, attributing the damage to the Russian strikes.

In the Kyiv region, at least 27 individuals were reported injured, according to Mykola Kalachnyk, head of the military administration. The governor of the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region also reported at least four injuries from Russian strikes.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, accused Russia of waging a "war against civilians" and called for stronger actions from Ukraine's Western allies. He stated, "There will be a response to these actions. But the West's economic blows against Russia must also be stronger."

In response to the escalating situation, Poland closed its airspace near the southeastern cities of Lublin and Rzeszow due to what it described as "unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security." The Polish armed forces scrambled fighter jets to secure their airspace, emphasizing that these actions were preventive measures to protect citizens.

Tensions have been rising along NATO's eastern flank, with several European nations accusing Russia of violating their airspace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any aggression against Russia would be met with a "decisive response." He stated, "If any country downs objects still within Russian airspace, they will very much regret it."

As the conflict continues, President Zelenskiy highlighted the importance of foreign air defense systems for Ukraine's protection. He noted that the Israeli Patriot system is now operational in Ukraine and that two additional systems are expected to arrive this autumn. Reports indicate that Ukraine aims to operate a total of 10 Patriot batteries, including some provided by Germany.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on civilian populations in Ukraine.