Ukrainian forces, with intelligence support from NATO and the United States, are preparing for a large-scale drone and missile strike campaign, potentially accompanied by a ground offensive, targeting Russian-occupied Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea, according to Sky News. This offensive could commence as early as December 2025. In Zaporizhzhia specifically, residents are being advised to prepare to evacuate temporarily to await the "active phase" of a Russian autumn offensive, as stated by Andryushchenko. President Donald J. Trump recently directed the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to aid Kyiv with long-range missile strikes against targets in Russia and requested NATO provide similar targeting assistance. Discussions are also reportedly underway regarding the transfer of long-range cruise missiles, such as Tomahawks and Barracudas, to Ukraine. Andryushchenko cited "terrible strikes on Zaporizhzhia every day with all available means" during the previous week as justification for the evacuation advice. This news follows overnight Russian aerial activity reported by Ukrainian air defense between 3:05 AM and 4:05 AM UTC on October 3rd, 2025. Cruise missiles and drones were detected in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions. Earlier in the night, between 11:35 PM UTC on October 2nd and 12:05 AM UTC on October 3rd, Russia launched a large-scale strike involving numerous Shahed-type drones and various missiles across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Poltava, Kremenchuk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Odesa.
