Vue lecture

In Sumy, a child’s phone catches shrapnel—Russian drones keep targeting civilians

sumy child’s phone catches shrapnel—russian drones keep targeting civilians wounded man hit shrapnel during russian drone strike gas station 26 2025 suspilne ukraine endured another night attacks left destruction several

Ukraine endured another night of Russian drone attacks that left destruction in several oblasts. Civilian buildings, warehouses and public infrastructure were hit as waves of Shahed drones struck Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava.

Russian forces use long-range explosive drones to attack Ukrainian civilians every night. Last night, Ukraine shot down most drones, but some struck their targets, and downed drone debris caused more damage.

Kharkiv under repeated night strikes

In Kharkiv, residents spent another night under fire as explosions shook the city. Authorities confirmed that Russian forces attacked with ten Shahed-type drones. These drones struck the Kyivskyi district, where one hit a civilian enterprise that has not operated for years. Other strikes caused fires in a detached house in Kyivskyi district and in another building near the city. Mayor Ihor Terekhov later clarified that one of the attacks landed in a suburb rather than in Shevchenkivskyi district.

Emergency services reported that fires caused by the strikes were extinguished during the night. In Malodanilivska community, debris from drones set a 500 square meter production and storage building on fire. There were no injuries in Kharkiv during this latest wave.

Drone strikes on Sumy damage public buildings

In Sumy, Russian forces attacked several times on 26 July. The assault damaged the building of the Oblast Administration, a detached house across from it and a café. One of the strikes knocked out power to a local water supply facility. Later that evening, drones targeted the city again, striking the Kovpakivskyi district and wounding three civilians. According to Sumy Oblast head Oleg Hryhorov, all injured were hospitalized. Local police said a wounded 43‑year‑old man was in moderate condition.

Suspilne reported accounts from a mother who said a fragment from an explosive device dropped from a drone hit her son’s phone, saving him life.

On 27 July, Sumy came under another drone attack. This time, windows in homes and non-residential buildings were shattered, but there were no reported casualties.

Damage from debris in Poltava oblast

Poltava oblast also faced damage from falling drone wreckage overnight on 27 July. Acting head of the Oblast Military Administration Volodymyr Kohut reported that debris from intercepted drones fell in Poltava and Kremenchuk districts. Four single-family homes and three farm buildings were damaged, but no one was injured.

Ukraine’s air force on the scale of the attack

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 83 drones, including Shahed and decoy types, from Russian territory and occupied Crimea starting at 22:30 on 26 July.

Air defenders used aviation, surface-to-air missile units, electronic warfare systems and mobile fire teams to repel the attack. By 10:30 on 27 July, air defenses had destroyed or suppressed 78 of the drones.

Five drones hit targets in three locations, and debris from destroyed drones fell in two other areas, according to the report.
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  •  

Ukraine downs 45 Russian drones overnight—but 26 still strike 14 locations

ukraine downs 45 russian drones overnight—but 26 still strike 14 locations russian-made shahed reporting ukraine's video factories-7 shot down drone damaged schools homes ukrainian air force says attack hit kryvyi

Ukraine shot down 45 drones, but a Russian drone strike on Ukraine still damaged schools and homes in 14 locations, the Ukrainian Air Force says. The attack hit Kryvyi Rih and Sumy, damaging critical civilian infrastructure and leaving large areas temporarily without power, officials confirmed.

Russian forces carry out drone, missile, and guided bomb attacks on a daily basis. These strikes are aimed primarily at civilian areas, affecting homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.

Ukraine intercepts 45 drones, but 26 strike across country

According to the Air Force Command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Russian forces launched a total of 71 drones— Shahed-type and decoy drones—overnight on 23 July, beginning around 20:00 on 22 July. The Iranian-designed Shaheds are one-way attack kamikaze drones, capable of carrying up to 90 kg of explosives. The drones were launched from multiple directions, including Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and Chauda in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down 27 drones and used electronic warfare to suppress or jam 18 more. Still, 26 drones struck targets across 14 locations. Debris from intercepted drones also caused damage at five other sites. Russian drone strike on Ukraine has become a daily tactic, often involving dozens of drones deployed simultaneously from various axes.

Russian Shaheds strike civilian infrastructure in Kryvyi Rih

In Kryvyi Rih, eight drones were intercepted over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. However, the city itself suffered direct impacts. According to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s Defense Council, the Russian drone strike hit a wide range of civilian infrastructure. Among the damaged sites were private residences, six apartment buildings, a school, an administrative building, a church, a sports complex, and a business facility.

Vilkul said fires erupted following the strikes, but emergency services have since extinguished them. He added that no casualties or injuries were reported

Power outages in Sumy after drones hit energy facilities

In Sumy, the drone strikes caused significant disruptions to the city’s power grid. Acting mayor Artem Kobzar stated that several parts of the city lost electricity after Russian drones targeted civilian infrastructure. He confirmed that some hospitals had to switch to generator power to continue operations.

The Energy Ministry confirmed that Russian drones damaged a Sumyoblenergo facility overnight on 23 July, causing power outages and equipment failure. Ukrainian Railways said the strike was a deliberate attack on energy infrastructure, with facilities hit in both Sumy and Poltava oblasts.

 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  •  

Death toll in Russia's July 3 attack on Poltava rises to 3

Death toll in Russia's July 3 attack on Poltava rises to 3

A woman injured in Russia’s July 3 attack on Poltava has died in the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to three, the local military administration reported on July 6.

The attack injured 59 people, sparked fires, and damaged civilian infrastructure.

"Doctors fought for her life to the last. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends!" Poltava Oblast Governor Volodymyr Kohut wrote on Telegram.

One of Russia's July 3 strikes caused a fire at the Poltava military enlistment office. A separate strike nearby set fire to a private residential property, the authorities said.

Vitalii Sarantsev, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Ground Forces, said on national television that the attack on the enlistment office in Poltava was deliberate and that such strikes are intended to disrupt mobilization in Ukraine.

This wasn't the first time Russia has been linked to such attacks. Back in February, Moscow recruited the man who carried out a deadly bombing at a military enlistment office in the city of Rivne in northwestern Ukraine.

China unveils its new ‘graphite bomb’ — here’s how they work
China’s state TV broadcaster has revealed details of a new “graphite bomb” that can cause a “complete loss of electricity” across an area of 10,000 square meters, or knock out entire power stations, the South China Morning Post reported on June 29. An animated video released by China’s CCTV showed a missile being launched from a ground-based launcher and then flying to a target where it releases 90 small submunitions. They then bounce on the ground before exploding amid a mock-up of an electri
Death toll in Russia's July 3 attack on Poltava rises to 3The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Death toll in Russia's July 3 attack on Poltava rises to 3
  •  

Russia targets Ukrainian conscription offices to disrupt mobilization, military spokesperson says after Poltava attack

Russia targets Ukrainian conscription offices to disrupt mobilization, military spokesperson says after Poltava attack

Editor's note: This item has been updated to include the statement from Ground Forces spokesperson Vitalii Sarantsev.

A Russian strike on Poltava, central Ukraine, killed two people and injured 47 others on the morning of July 3, local and military officials said.

The attack, which occurred around 9 a.m. local time, sparked fires and damaged civilian infrastructure, according to Governor Volodymyr Kohut and Ukraine's Ground Forces.

The State Emergency Service reported that 84 emergency workers, including psychologists, pyrotechnicians, and medics, were deployed at the site of the attacks. Firefighters extinguished the fires, cleared the rubble, and rescued 10 people from the damaged buildings.

According to the statement of Ukraine's Ground Forces, one of the strikes caused a fire at the Poltava conscription office, a local military facility. A separate strike near the Poltava conscription office set fire to a private residential property, authorities said.

Speaking on national television, Ukraine's Ground Forces spokesperson Vitalii Sarantsev said that Russia was deliberately targeting conscription offices to disrupt Ukraine's mobilization efforts.

"We will continue to strengthen our army, train our troops, and involve more people in defense to deliver a strong response to the enemy," Sarantsev said.

This wasn't the first time Russia has been linked to such attacks. Back in February, Moscow recruited the man who carried out a deadly bombing at a military enlistment office in the city of Rivne in northwestern Ukraine.

‘Major casualties among civilians’ — US freeze on air defense missiles is terrible news for Ukraine
The halting of deliveries of air defense missiles from the U.S. will lead to“major casualties among civilians,” a deputy commander in Ukraine’s air defense told the Kyiv Independent. Politico reported on July 1 that the U.S. Defense Department (DOD) had halted shipments of some weapons previously
Russia targets Ukrainian conscription offices to disrupt mobilization, military spokesperson says after Poltava attackThe Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Russia targets Ukrainian conscription offices to disrupt mobilization, military spokesperson says after Poltava attack
  •  

At least 13 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

At least 13 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

At least 13 civilians were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past 24 hours, regional authorities reported on June 21.

Russia launched 272 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type suicide drones, along with two ballistic missiles and six cruise missiles, Ukraine's Air Force said.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 140 drones, three Iskander-K cruise missiles, one Kinzhal air-to-air missile, and one Kalibr cruise missile. Another 112 drones reportedly dropped off radars — likely used as decoys to overwhelm Ukrainian systems.

The Air Force said the combined attack was repelled using aviation, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare units, and anti-aircraft missile systems.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian strikes on residential areas and social infrastructure injured seven civilians, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Kherson and surrounding settlements west of the Dnipro River face near-daily Russian attacks.

In Donetsk Oblast, three people were wounded in Russian strikes, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. The region remains one of the most heavily targeted areas amid ongoing Russian offensive operations.

In Poltava Oblast, one person was moderately injured after Russian attacks damaged energy infrastructure and open areas, according to local officials.

A 75-year-old woman was injured in Sumy Oblast after a drone strike, regional authorities said. A woman was also wounded in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported, without specifying the nature of the attack.

The strikes come amid Russia's ongoing refusal to accept ceasefire proposals as it intensifies coordinated aerial assaults across Ukraine.

‘All of Ukraine is ours’ — Putin on Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with comments from Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Russian President Vladimir Putin said “all of Ukraine” belonged to Russia in a speech on June 20 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, amid increasingly aggressive official statements about Moscow’s final territorial ambitions in Ukraine. Putin’s
At least 13 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past dayThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
At least 13 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
  •  

Russian shelling kills 1 in Kherson, mass attack hits infrastructure in Poltava Oblast

Russian shelling kills 1 in Kherson, mass attack hits infrastructure in Poltava Oblast

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the most recent casualty numbers.

Russia attacked Ukraine with nearly 200 missiles and drones and shelled residents in Kherson and Donetsk oblasts, killing one and injuring three, Ukrainian authorities reported on June 15.

Russian forces unleashed drones, artillery, and airstrikes on Kherson Oblast and the city over the last day, killing one person and injuring seven, the oblast administration reported. Russian attacks damaged apartments, homes, and gas pipelines, as well as other infrastructure.

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured two people in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, regional governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Russia’s combined mass missile and drone strikes largely targeted Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast. No one was injured or killed, but the attacks hit energy and agricultural facilities, said Poltava governor Volodymyr Kohut.

Of 183 drones Russia launched, Ukrainian air defense neutralized 159, the Air Force said in their morning update. Ukraine also shot down 2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles and six out of eight cruise missiles.

Drones were also spotted flying through Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, Chernihiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk oblasts.

Despite talks of peace negotiations, Russia has amped up its drone attacks on Ukraine over the last month. On May 26, Russia launched 355 drones at Ukraine, a record that was broken on June 1 with 472 drones, and on June 9, when Russia fired 479 drones and 20 missiles against Ukrainian cities.

Trump gave Putin a ‘two-week’ deadline to consider peace in Ukraine. Instead, Russia just launched more drones.
A “two week” deadline imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to see if Russia is serious about peace in Ukraine has come and gone, with Moscow’s escalation of attacks on civilians during this period failing to draw the slightest condemnation from the White House. “We’re going to find out
Russian shelling kills 1 in Kherson, mass attack hits infrastructure in Poltava OblastThe Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Russian shelling kills 1 in Kherson, mass attack hits infrastructure in Poltava Oblast
  •