Kyiv, Russia: At least six people were killed and dozens injured after Russia launched a large-scale daytime drone assault targeting several regions across Ukraine on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched nearly 800 drones since midnight, marking one of the most intense aerial offensives in recent months.

“Since midnight, at least 800 Russian drones have already been launched,” Zelensky said, adding that children were among those injured in the attacks.

The strikes targeted multiple areas, including western Ukraine, while air raid sirens sounded across the capital Kyiv. Residents were seen taking shelter in metro stations as Ukrainian air defence systems attempted to intercept incoming drones.

Zelensky Questions Timing During Trump’s China Visit

Zelensky suggested the timing of the attacks was linked to US President Donald Trump’s ongoing visit to China.

According to the Ukrainian leader, Russia may be attempting to intensify geopolitical tensions and divert international attention through renewed attacks on civilian infrastructure.

He also urged Trump to raise the issue of ending the war in Ukraine during meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking at a summit in Romania, Zelensky said Ukraine remained in close contact with its American partners and hoped diplomatic efforts would continue during the high-level talks in China.

Several Ukrainian Regions Report Casualties and Damage

Regional authorities said three people were killed in the Rivne region of western Ukraine after drones struck residential and civilian infrastructure.

Additional fatalities were reported in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, while several people were wounded in Odesa, Khmelnytskyi and Cherkasy.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency warned that Russia was carrying out a prolonged assault targeting critical infrastructure facilities across the country.

Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian drone attacks killed two people in the Bryansk border region.

Authorities in Russia said one man died in the village of Stara Pogoshch, while another was killed after a strike reportedly hit a post office building in the town of Sevsk.