Russian strikes kill three as UN assembly opens

Russian missile and drone strikes killed three people overnight as world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly. Ukrainian officials reported that attacks hit industrial sites and critical energy infrastructure across several regions, leaving nearly 100,000 residents without power.

Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said the simultaneous strikes targeted facilities in Dnipropetrovsk region, including Dnipro itself. This area is also home to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He noted on Tuesday that missiles, drones, and artillery heavily damaged business and warehouse premises there. Three people died and six were wounded in Dnipro according to Hanzha.

The Ukrainian air force stated Moscow launched 212 drones, four cruise missiles, and an unspecified number of Oniks antiship and ballistic missiles during the barrage. Energy infrastructure also suffered. An attack on a power facility cut electricity for nearly 100,000 consumers in Chernihiv region. Governor Vitalii Diakivnych described a massive Russian attack that hit an industrial enterprise and a critical infrastructure facility in Poltava region.

The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed its forces carried out major strikes against industrial and military facilities. They also targeted the fuel and energy sector, port infrastructure, and sea vessels operating for the Ukrainian military. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Samara region along the Volga River. One person died and four were injured there according to the local governor. The area hosts critically important facilities like oil refineries. Russian air defence units intercepted and destroyed 297 Ukrainian drones across various regions overnight.

These attacks happen as Zelenskyy arrived in New York for talks on ending the war at the UNGA. Nearly 130 heads of state are gathering there. The president wrote on X that a drone deal was ready to be signed to bolster air defence and secure funding for the war effort. He stated bringing peace closer and protecting lives is Ukraine's number one priority. Concrete security proposals and de-escalation measures could bring an end to the war closer. Zelenskyy plans around 20 meetings including with the US president, European leaders, US senators, members of the House of Representatives, heads of international organisations, leading American companies and think tanks.

Zelenskyy met French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. He is likely to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Earlier, Macron also met Trump after which he said the two countries agreed to work together to secure a moratorium on strikes targeting energy networks and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Both Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are set to address the UNGA later this week.