Russia Launches Large-Scale Airstrikes Across Ukraine... Poland Closes Its Airspace

by Oh Yukyo

Published 28 Sep.2025 15:43(KST)

Russia Launches Large-Scale Drone and Missile Attack, Causing Civilian Casualties in Ukraine
Air Raid Sirens Sound Across Ukraine, Including Kyiv
Residential Areas and Infrastructure Suffer Heavy Damage
Poland Closes Airspace Near Border, Scrambles Fighter Jets
NATO Heightens Alert
Calls on the West to "Strengthen Sanctions"
Tensions Escalate Further

Russia launched a large-scale attack across Ukraine using drones and missiles, resulting in civilian casualties and prompting neighboring Poland to close its airspace and initiate a military response.

Russia Launches Large-Scale Airstrikes Across Ukraine... Poland Closes Its Airspace

According to major foreign media outlets on September 28 (local time), Russia simultaneously fired drones and missiles at several regions of Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, in the early morning hours. Ukrainian independent monitoring groups reported that this was one of the largest Russian airstrikes targeting Kyiv since the full-scale war began in February 2022.

Ukrainian authorities stated that at least three people were killed and nine were injured in this airstrike. Among the victims was a 12-year-old girl. In the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, four people were also reported injured.

In Kyiv, the sounds of drones and anti-aircraft fire echoed from the early morning, and some residents took shelter in subway stations out of fear. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned, "Kyiv is under a large-scale attack, and citizens must remain in shelters." Mayor Klitschko added that five people were injured in Kyiv alone as a result of the attack.

After the airstrike, air raid sirens were sounded across Ukraine, and it was reported that residential areas and civilian infrastructure were heavily targeted. Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the Ukrainian President, called it "an obvious act of war targeting civilians" and declared, "We will definitely respond to this attack." He also urged Western countries to further strengthen economic sanctions against Russia.

Russia's airstrikes are heightening tensions not only in Ukraine but also among neighboring North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. On this day, Poland closed the airspace over the Lublin and Rzeszow regions near the Ukrainian border and scrambled air force fighter jets. The Polish military authorities stated, "The surface-to-air defense system has been placed on high alert," explaining that these are preventive measures to protect citizens in areas adjacent to Ukraine and to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.