7 dead as Russia, Ukraine exchange strikes and aerial war intensifies

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian attacks killed four people across Ukraine Saturday, officials said, as the aerial war between Moscow and Kyiv intensifies.

Russia has hammered Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles, powerful glide bombs and jet-powered drones while front-line progress has slowed, some 4½-years after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

“It is essential that our partners not forget: Russia is escalating every single day. If the Russians have chosen to make their strikes even more brutal, the world must choose stronger responses to keep the war from spreading further,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Saturday morning.

He listed “numerous strikes on residential homes” in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, and the Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

Two women in Zaporizhzhia died when they were trapped beneath the rubble of their destroyed home, Zaporizhzhia’s regional military administration said. A separate Russian attack on the city of Sumy also killed two people, local officials said.

Zelenskyy appealed at the United Nations earlier this week to countries to starve Russia of revenue through sanctions and trade bans, denying Moscow the money it needs to prolong the war. But despite years of diplomatic efforts, there is no sign of a breakthrough in ending the war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s long-range drones have targeted Russian oil refineries and businesses. A Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Krasnodar region killed three people and wounded two, local officials said Saturday.

Writing on Telegram, regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said that a Ukrainian attack sparked fires at two industrial sites, but did not give further details. Russian media outlets later reported that a local oil refinery was targeted in the strike.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, two people were injured in the Kyiv region overnight after a Russian drone attack caused a fire at a warehouse in the Boryspil district. Russian drones also hit several districts in the Ukrainian capital itself, injuring four and damaging residential and office buildings, officials said.

Russia's Ministry of Defense said Saturday that its attack on Kyiv had damaged a data center that supported both cellphone internet services and Starlink satellite communication systems.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Rescuers work on a site of Russian drone strike on the central market of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko)

A seller checks clothes at the central market damaged in a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Saturday, Sept.26, 2026. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko)

Medics inspect a body of a woman killed in a Russian strike on residential neighbourhood on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Saturday, Sept.26, 2026. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko)

Medics inspect a body of a woman killed in a Russian strike on residential neighbourhood on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko)

A paramedic looks at the body of a woman killed in a Russian strike on residential neighbourhood on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Saturday, Sept.26, 2026. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko)

BANGKOK (AP) — Incessant rain hammered several areas of Thailand ’s capital on Saturday, disrupting traffic and forcing hundreds to evacuate, as authorities declared the city a disaster area.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that the deluge, which has been pouring since Thursday afternoon, would continue in most parts of the country through Sunday.

Accumulated rainfall in many areas of Bangkok since Thursday exceeded 30 centimeters (11.8 inches), officials said. Floodwaters spread across the city, particularly in the central and eastern parts, blocking roads and stopping traffic.

While not all parts of Bangkok were submerged, the city declared all of its 50 districts a flood disaster area to allow authorities to respond rapidly to the crisis.

More than 84,000 people in 21 provinces nationwide were affected by flooding as of Saturday, especially in the central region. Authorities sent emergency warning messages through the cellphones, the government said.

Hwang Hwan-chung, who flew from South Korea and has visited Bangkok a dozen times, said he had never seen such “crazy” weather, adding that he couldn’t find a taxi.

Sukanya Tongsuk, a resident, said the current flooding was similar to the last time Bangkok was hit in 2011.

Meanwhile, Dutch resident Bjorn Franken, who has lived in the capital for two years, said he was able to cope although one event he wanted to attend had been canceled.

Many businesses in Bangkok closed on Saturday due to flooding.

Cars crawled along waterlogged roads in parts of Bangkok, and bikers were seen pushing their motorcycles. Authorities said some regional bus services from Bangkok to the eastern provinces were suspended.

Phetchaburi Road, one of the capital’s busiest, was unusually quiet as vehicles were turned back by floods. Some were left partially submerged.

Residents made their way through murky waters, carrying fresh water and food. Some were barefoot and others wearing rubber waders while several wrapped plastic bags around their feet to keep dry.

Air traffic control authorities confirmed flight operations were normal but some flights might face delays.

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials work to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.

More than 200 shelters were set up across the city and about 900 people have moved in, Chadchart said.

Man wades through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

In this photo taken with a smartphone, people wade through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Schreck)

A woman wades through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The streets are flooded after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

People wade through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Men push motorcycles as they wade through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The streets are flooded after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

This image taken from a video shows the flooded streets in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, after heavy rain. (AP Photo)