Russia Maps Kyiv’s Trolleybus Depots and Airport for Strike as Drones Hit Capital Hours Before Zelensky’s UN Speech

KYIV — Russia is mapping everyday targets across Kyiv, including trolleybus depots and Zhuliany airport, a top monitoring channel says, warning of a possible ballistic strike as Ukraine races to defend its capital against jet drones before winter [248540].

The threat came into focus Wednesday when Russia launched drone strikes on Kyiv, hitting railway infrastructure, warehouses and fuel stations [247993]. The attack occurred just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was set to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York [247993].

Emergency crews responded to fires across the city, including at a high-rise building [247993]. The strikes targeted key civilian and transport sites in the Ukrainian capital [247993].

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy said strikes on Russian territory are necessary "not to die" [248561]. He ruled out any pause on attacks targeting energy infrastructure, noting that Moscow has rejected such a moratorium as well [248561]. Zelenskyy said winter "could be very harsh" but still called for steps to lower tensions [248561].

The Ukrainian president is expected to press world leaders for continued support at the UN gathering [247993]. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also set to meet with his Russian counterpart, though diplomats expect few breakthroughs from the meetings [247993].

Meanwhile, Russia is spreading a false claim that its forces have surrounded Dobropillia, a key transport hub in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast [248538]. The Institute for the Study of War says Moscow fabricated the encirclement story to strengthen its demand for Ukraine's capitulation at the United Nations [248538]. Ukrainian officers report active fighting around the town [248538].