Russia used a total of 135 attack drones during the offensive, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. They included Shahed drones, jet-powered variants, Gerbera vehicles and Parodiya decoy drones.
The attacks were launched from several directions, including Kursk, Millerovo, Orel and Primorsky-Akhtarsk in Russian territory, as well as the occupied areas of Donetsk and Crimea.
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Preliminary data showed that by 08:00 Kyiv time, Ukrainian air defenses had shot down or neutralized 107 Russian drones in the northern, southern and eastern parts of the country.
The heaviest toll was recorded in Kryvyi Rih, where two Russian drone strikes on a shopping mall left at least 14 people dead and 120 injured. Children were among the wounded.
The casualty figures were announced by local authorities, which cited media reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as “absolutely cynical and vile.”
Zelensky’s account indicated that the strikes occurred in two stages. The second attack was carried out about 30 minutes after the initial impact and the fire that followed, while rescue teams were operating in the area.
The Ukrainian president said the attack drones struck in two waves and that the second strike targeted rescuers. He also conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
Another drone attack was reported overnight in the Kharkiv region. Russian forces sent six such vehicles toward the village of Lebyazhe in Chuhuiv district.
A 73-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman were killed in the strike. Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov said that a 41-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman were also injured.
As a result of the attacks, fires engulfed five private homes, three of which were completely destroyed. A total of 20 private residential buildings were damaged, including three auxiliary structures.
Synegubov said all emergency services were operating at a rapid pace.
The strikes come as Russia and Ukraine continue their intense aerial clashes, with both sides using drones on a large scale.
