Russia pounds Ukraine with overnight drone, missile strikes

Russian forces carried out overnight strikes on Ukraine using attack drones and ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

In a statement, the military said that in the early hours of October 1, Russia launched 49 Shahed-type attack drones, along with other unmanned aerial vehicles, from the directions of Millerovo and Bryansk in Russia, as well as from Chornomorske in occupied Crimea, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

The Air Force reported that Russia also fired an Oniks anti-ship missile from Crimea and four Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles from Russia’s Oryol region.

By 09:30 local time, Ukrainian air defences had shot down or neutralised 44 drones over the north, east and centre of the country.

However, at least five missiles and drones struck six separate locations.

Meanwhile, a Russian guided aerial bomb attack hit the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight, injuring six people and triggering multiple fires, regional officials said on October 1.

Governor Oleh Synehubov reported that five of the wounded were hospitalised, while Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the strikes set ablaze a city market and nearby residential buildings. Firefighters worked through the night to contain the flames.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has faced relentless Russian aerial assaults since the war began in 2022.

By Aghakazim Guliyev