Destruction from Russian guided bombs on Zaporizhzhia city in southern Ukraine, September 29, 2024

Sunday’s Coverage: 10+ Killed in Russia’s Drone Strikes on A Hospital

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1615:

US citizen Stephen Hubbard, 72, pleaded guilty in a Moscow court to charges of “mercenary activity”, saying he received money to fight for Ukraine against Russia.

“Yes, I agree with the indictment,” Hubbard said, according to Russian State media. He faces a sentence of 7 to 15 years if convicted.

Hubbard worked as an English teacher abroad for decades. The prosecution alleged he was promised $1,000 per month and given training, weapons, and ammunition.

Hubbard’s sister Patricia Fox said he had no interest in fighting in any war.

UPDATE 1027 GMT:

Ukraine air defenses downed 67 of 73 Iran-type attack drones and one of three missiles launched by Russia overnight.

One other drone flew in the direction of Belarus, and three more were lost in northern Ukraine because of electronic counter-measures.

No damage or casualties were reported in the Kyiv region, which was under more than five hours of alert. The wreckage of one drone was found near a residential building in the Obolon district of the capital.

UPDATE 0620 GMT:

Russian drones attacked Kyiv this morning, in an alert lasting more than five hours, but no significant damage or casualties have been reported so far.

UPDATE 0449 GMT:

Ukraine said it damaged a Russian military depot in a mass drone attack on Sunday.

The General Staff said more than 100 drones were sent into the Volgograd region, around 300 to 350 km (186 to 217 miles) from the border, targeting the Kotluban depot. It claimed a fire and ammunition detonation were started at the facility, used for storage and modernization of missiles and artillery.

Russian officials said there was limited damage but no casualties from the attack.

UPDATE 0443 GMT:

Denmark is providing 1.3 billion kroner ($194 million) to help Ukraine produce weapons and equipment.

The production, also financed by profits from frozen Russian assets, will be supported with the creation of a joint defense hub at the Danish Embassy.

“Wars are not only won on the battlefield but also in industry,” said Danish Trade and Industry Minister Morten Bodskov.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least 16 people were injured by a Russian attack with guided bombs on Zaporizhzhia city in southern Ukraine on Sunday.

Russia struck three districts with 13 guided bombs between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Among the injured are two children aged 8 and 17.

Officials said railways, infrastructure, and residential and commercial buildings were damaged. Photos showed charred cars, a hole blown through a residential building, and rescuers battling fires.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posted in the early afternoon:

This week alone, the Russian army has used nearly 900 aerial bombs, over 300 “Shahed” drones, and more than 40 missiles. This Russian terror knows no pause, and it can only be stopped by the unity of the world — unity in supporting Ukraine and unity in putting pressure on Russia for the war.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelenskiy also noted strikes on the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Sumy regions as Russia drops around 100 guided bombs daily.

“This is the daily terror Ukraine faces,” the President summarized. “This is a constant reminder to all our partners who can help that Ukraine needs more long-range capabilities, more air defense systems, and stronger sanctions against Russia.”

In the Sumy region in northern Ukraine, 10 people were injured by attacks on 14 communities throughout the day.

In the town of Esman, five women between the ages of 38 and 77 were injured by a guided bomb. In the village of Hlukiv, a 53-year-old woman and her 50-year-old husband were wounded. And in Druzhba, a train conductor and a railway station employee were injured.

Shelling of 17 settlements in the Kherson region in southern Ukraine killed one civilians and injured 12.