Russian strikes on Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, grew much heavier over the summer and fall of 2026, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in its 5 November assessment. Since late June 2026, Russia has struck the city every day, the heaviest strikes since its liberation four years ago, Serhii Fedchenko, head of the Izium City Military Administration, said in an interview with Suspilne published on 10 September.

Russia still wants all of Donetsk Oblast, and the Borova and Lyman directions lie on the northern approach to the oblast's Fortress Belt of fortified cities, which Russia has sought to encircle. Supplies for the Ukrainian troops holding both sectors run through Izium. ISW assesses that Russia is likely hitting the city harder to choke those supply lines.

Russian attacks on Izium have intensified

Russian forces attacked the city at least seven times between 29 October and 4 November, killing six people and injuring 56, Izium Deputy Mayor Volodymyr Matsokin said on 4 November in an interview with Suspilne. According to him, the 2 November strikes were among the largest-scale attacks since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Attacks on the Izium community are carried out not only with KABs [guided aerial bombs], although KABs are probably the most brutal and destructive force the enemy uses. But they can also involve strike UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] and MLRS [multiple launch rocket systems],” Matsokin said.

Russian forces attack the community almost every day, sometimes several times a day, Matsokin said. While previous attacks occurred mostly in the evening or at night, the latest massive strike took place at the start of the working day.

Russian glide bombs hit Izium at the start of the workday

On 2 November, Russian forces struck Izium with what prosecutors preliminarily identified as four FAB-500 500-kilogram bombs fitted with UMPK glide kits, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office reported.

The attack killed a 44-year-old man, and 34 people needed medical help. Of them, 26 were injured, including two girls aged 10 and 14, while eight others suffered acute stress reactions, Suspilne reported on 5 November, citing updated data from the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.

The strike also damaged 14 apartment buildings and 97 private houses, the Izium District Military Administration reported, and prosecutors said cars were hit too. Damage to high-voltage power lines left the entire city without electricity. Power supply was restored on the evening of 3 November, Suspilne reported.