**Title: Russian Drone and Missile Strikes on Kyiv Result in Casualties**

KYIV, Ukraine — A series of drone and missile attacks by Russia on Sunday resulted in at least four fatalities and injured at least 70 others, with Kyiv experiencing the most severe impact. This marks the first significant assault on the capital since a previous attack last month that left 21 people dead.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration, confirmed the casualties through Telegram, noting that a 12-year-old girl was among the deceased. Thick black smoke was visible rising from explosions near the city center. Tkachenko remarked, "The Russians have restarted the child death counter."

According to Ukraine's air force, Russia launched 595 drones and 48 missiles during the assault. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted or jammed 566 drones and 45 missiles. In addition to Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the attacks also targeted regions including Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa.

Zelenskyy stated on social media that at least 40 people were injured nationwide, a figure that later rose to 70, with over 100 civilian structures damaged. Ivan Fedorov, the head of Zaporizhzhia's regional administration, indicated that three children were among the 27 injured in that area. He also noted that more than two dozen buildings were damaged in the capital.

Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating, "This vile attack came virtually at the close of U.N. General Assembly week, and this is exactly how Russia declares its true position. Moscow wants to keep fighting and killing, and it deserves the toughest pressure from the world."

During the U.N. General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that Russia does not intend to attack Europe but will respond decisively to any aggression.

The strikes, which began overnight and continued into Sunday morning, targeted residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, a medical facility, and a kindergarten, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Damage was reported at over 20 locations across the capital.

At Kyiv's central train station, passengers arrived amid the sounds of anti-aircraft fire and drones. Many waited in a platform underpass until the air raid alert was lifted. One woman, who identified herself only as Erika, said, "The sky has turned black again. It’s happening a lot."

Ilona Kovalenko, a resident of a building struck in Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district, recounted the chaos following the explosion. "A neighbor kept knocking on our door. She was completely covered in blood and shouting, ‘help, save my daughter,’" Kovalenko said. Tragically, the neighbor's daughter, Oleksandra, was killed in the attack. "Sadly, she died on the spot. We are in shock, to be honest," Kovalenko added.

Emergency services worked to clear debris from heavily damaged buildings, while residents expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in their neighborhood. Volodymyr, a retired resident, stated, "There are no warehouses or plants here. We were sure that nothing would happen, but it hit us here."

The Kremlin has consistently asserted that its military operations target only military sites. Russian officials did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the latest attacks.

The assault prompted military responses in neighboring Poland, where fighter jets were deployed as a precautionary measure. Polish military officials described these actions as "preventative."

Concerns are growing that the conflict could extend beyond Ukraine's borders, especially after incidents involving Russian drones landing in Poland and Russian aircraft entering Estonian airspace. Russia has denied these claims.

This latest bombardment follows Zelenskyy’s announcement of a significant arms deal with the United States, valued at $90 billion, which includes a major arms agreement and a separate deal for Ukrainian-made drones. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses shot down 41 Ukrainian drones during the same period.