Ukraine has endured one of its most intense waves of Russian missile and drone attacks in months, leaving at least three people dead and dozens wounded across the country, while also rattling the nerves of neighboring NATO members. The barrage, which began in the early hours of September 20, 2025, targeted nine regions, stretching from Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv to Odesa and Kharkiv, according to The Associated Press. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a statement on Telegram, described the strikes as a deliberate campaign against civilian infrastructure, residential neighborhoods, and essential enterprises. "Each such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to intimidate civilians and destroy our infrastructure," Zelenskyy said.
In Dnipropetrovsk alone, local governor Serhii Lysak reported 30 wounded and extensive damage to high-rise buildings and homes. The city of Dnipro saw a particularly harrowing attack, as a missile equipped with cluster munitions struck a multistory building, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the assault. Meanwhile, in the Kyiv region, strikes damaged property in Bucha, Boryspil, and Obukhiv, while the western region of Lviv saw two cruise missiles shot down by Ukrainian defenses, local authorities told AP.
Ukraine’s air force faced a daunting challenge: Russia launched a staggering 619 drones and missiles in this offensive. Yet, the defenders managed to shoot down or neutralize 552 drones, two ballistic missiles, and 29 cruise missiles. The sheer scale of the attack, as reported by the Ukrainian Defense Forces and covered by Suspilne News, highlighted both the resilience and the vulnerability of Ukraine’s air defense systems. On the night of September 22, Ukrainian Air Forces intercepted and destroyed 132 out of 141 Russian drones, including approximately 80 Shahed drones and several Herbera types, launched from Russian territory and occupied Crimea.
The attacks were not limited to traditional missiles and drones. Between 4 and 6 a.m. on September 22, Russian tactical aviation launched KAB bombs from the Tokmak area in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, targeting infrastructure in the city of Zaporizhzhia. According to the Air Forces, these airstrikes resulted in civilian casualties, adding to the toll of the relentless campaign.
Ukraine’s defensive response was coordinated and multi-layered, involving aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups. Despite these efforts, nine strike UAVs managed to hit seven locations, with debris from downed drones falling in eight areas, the Defense Forces reported. The attacks underscored the urgent need for continued modernization and strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense systems. “Further strengthening of defense requires a comprehensive approach: modernization of electronic warfare capabilities, deployment of additional protective measures, and increasing reaction times,” the Air Forces emphasized in their public statement.
But the conflict’s tremors did not stop at Ukraine’s borders. In a dramatic escalation, four Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace between September 18 and 22, triggering a swift response from the Polish Air Force and drawing support from other European Union member states, including the Netherlands, according to NBC News. The incident, which occurred on the eve of the European Commission President’s State of the Union address, caught many European capitals by surprise, but not unprepared. European forces quickly mobilized to defend their borders, putting up defenses in anticipation of further incursions.
Russia’s Defense Ministry insisted the drone incursion into Poland was accidental, a claim echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested the attack might have been a mistake. However, Poland and several EU countries rejected this explanation, viewing the drone flights as a deliberate test of EU resolve. CBS News reported that Polish officials, backed by their European allies, insisted the attack was intentional, especially given its timing and context.
As tensions mounted, Russia began joint military exercises with Belarus, Poland’s neighbor, further heightening regional anxieties. ABC News noted that Poland responded by closing its border with Belarus, aiming to cut off potential invasion routes, particularly after it was revealed that one of the Russian drones had entered from Belarusian airspace. The move reflected deep-seated historical concerns: Poland has a long history of invasions from Russia, and memories of past occupations remain vivid in the national consciousness.
Polish officials, including members of parliament making rounds at military installations, emphasized the country’s readiness to defend itself against any aggression from Moscow. The broader European Union stood firmly with Poland, demonstrating the continent’s determination to resist any escalation from the Kremlin. “The rest of Europe stands with Poland, however, showing the continent-spanning union’s strength to resist a large-scale invasion from Russia and readiness at the smallest sign of conflict from President Vladimir Putin,” ABC News reported.
President Trump, while backing the U.S. commitment to European security, urged the EU to shoulder a greater share of defense costs. Still, he pledged to maintain a strong American military presence on the continent, sending a clear message to Moscow that any escalation would not go unanswered.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has taken the fight beyond its borders, claiming drone strikes on Russian oil refineries in Novokuibyshevsk and Saratov, as well as on pumping stations of the Kuibyshev-Tikhoretsk oil pipeline, according to The Associated Press. These strikes reportedly caused explosions and fires, targeting infrastructure that brings crucial petrodollar surpluses to the Russian budget. An unnamed Ukrainian intelligence official told AP, “Ukraine continues its successful work on introducing drone sanctions against Russian refineries and oil pumping stations. It is this infrastructure that brings petrodollar surpluses to the Russian budget, which fuels the war against Ukraine. Work on blocking these money flows will continue.”
Back on the diplomatic front, President Zelenskyy announced plans to meet with President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Zelenskyy said the talks would focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and the importance of maintaining sanctions against Russia if peace efforts stall. “If the war continues and there is no movement toward peace, we expect sanctions,” he said, emphasizing the need for strong steps from Europe and the U.S. He also noted that the first ladies of Ukraine and the United States would likely hold separate talks focused on humanitarian issues involving children.
As the war grinds into its third year, the latest attacks and the international response signal a dangerous new phase. With drone warfare escalating, border tensions rising, and diplomatic efforts intensifying, the stakes for Ukraine, its neighbors, and the broader West have rarely been higher. The coming weeks could prove pivotal—not just for the battlefield, but for the future of security and stability across Europe.