Russia initiated a series of destructive attacks overnight in Ukraine, including a pre-dawn assault using drones and guided bombs. The retaliatory strike targeted civilian structures and infrastructure in the contested areas of Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Sumy.
The bombardments severely damaged residential buildings, schools, and infrastructure. Earlier today, Russian forces launched an attack on Zaporizhzhia, shattering windows in apartment buildings and a kindergarten, as reported by regional governor Ivan Fedorov.
The extent of casualties is currently unknown. Fedorov mentioned, “As a result of the Russian attack, windows were shattered in residential buildings and a kindergarten in one of the city’s districts.”
Local residents and workers sought shelter as air raid sirens warned of an incoming guided bomb in Zaporizhzhia. Fedorov noted, “Utility workers have already started clearing the aftermath of the enemy attack. Fortunately, there were no casualties.”
In the Kharkiv region, the city of Chuhuiv faced a significant drone attack early Friday, with more than ten drones targeting the area. Mayor Halyna Minaieva stated, “Our city was once again targeted by the enemy – over ten drones were directed at Chuhuiv. A civilian enterprise and an educational institution were impacted, resulting in fires at the targeted sites.”
In a strategic move, Ukraine launched major strikes against Russia this week, focusing on energy plants and oil refineries. The drone attacks conducted by Kyiv’s troops were orchestrated by the secretive “Deep Strike” special forces unit.
This operation dealt a severe blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resources by destroying one of Russia’s largest oil refineries. The “Deep Strike” unit’s actions targeted the Volgorod Oil Refinery, a key energy plant, and a major power complex in Moscow.
The disruption of oil exports from Russia aims to impede Putin’s financial backing for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukraine’s special forces aim to weaken Russia’s ability to fund the war by targeting its energy infrastructure and putting pressure on Moscow to seek peace.
This week, Ukraine’s Atesh partisan movement disclosed how one of its agents within Russia’s 115th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade sabotaged their unit’s truck to prevent deployment to the besieged city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine.
For years, Russia has sought to gain control of the strategic logistics hub of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, but intense battles have left their forces scattered in the city’s southern areas.
Ukraine and Russia are engaged in intense cross-border missile exchanges as Kyiv strives to disrupt Moscow’s funding capabilities for Putin’s war, while Kremlin forces aim to wear down Kyiv’s civilians by targeting energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has faced challenges in defending itself due to inconsistent support from US President Donald Trump, who has oscillated in his stance on backing Kyiv, sometimes favoring Putin and even pointing blame at Zelensky.
Kyiv has repeatedly requested additional air defense units to protect against frequent attacks by Russian troops, many of which are suspected of being war crimes as they intentionally target hospitals and schools.
