KYIV — Russian forces pounded Ukraine overnight with hundreds of drones and missiles, targeting in particular the capital, Kyiv — an attack that follows President Donald Trump’s increasingly sharp criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and promise to restore arms deliveries to Ukraine. The sound of low-flying drones and explosions from air defense systems could be heard for hours in sections of the capital, as residents fled to the safety of subway stations, underground car garages and what they hoped were safe spaces within their homes.

For many, it was yet another sleepless night during increased bombardments of Ukraine’s cities in recent weeks.

The attack caused damage in six of the capital’s districts, including “schools, residential buildings and office buildings,” with one section of the city struck in 12 locations, Kyiv military administration chief Tymur Tkachenko wrote on Telegram.

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Two people died and 16 were injured in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram. The attack involved “about 400 attack drones,” of which close to 200 were highly destructive Iranian-designed Shahed drones, and 18 missiles, he added.

“This is an obvious buildup of terror by Russia,” Zelensky wrote. “Hundreds of Shaheds every night, constant strikes, massive attacks against Ukrainian cities,” he said referring to the Iranian-style self-detonating drones that Russia now manufacturers itself.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said the attacks targeted military factories in Kyiv and air bases. It has never admitted to targeting civilian residences or infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Russia hopes to achieve its goals — which include control over 20 percent of the country and its demilitarization — through diplomatic means, “but until that happens, the special military operation continues, and realities on the ground are changing every day.”

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Zelensky said that he would speak Thursday to Ukraine’s allies “about additional funding for the production of interceptor drones and the supply of air defense for Ukraine.”

Zelensky said he would also talk to the “coalition of the willing” — a grouping of Ukraine’s European and international partners, led by France and the United Kingdom, supporting Kyiv’s defense against Russia. The group is holding a summit on Thursday.

“The tasks are absolutely clear — such Russian strikes must be answered harshly,” Zelensky wrote.

Thursday’s aerial bombardment came one day after the largest drone assault of the three-year-old war — more than 700 drones, of which close to 300 were Shaheds, launched at targets across the country, Ukrainian officials said.

In response to the ongoing attacks, which have significantly increased since the beginning of June, Trump stepped up his criticism of Putin. On Tuesday, he told a Cabinet meeting that the Russian leader threw “a lot of bulls—.”

The previous day, Trump reversed a decision by the U.S. Defense Department to freeze some arms deliveries to Ukraine.