Kyiv: Ukraine reported on Saturday that at least two individuals were killed and 13 others sustained injuries due to Russian drone strikes targeting the southern Kherson and northeastern Kharkiv regions. The incidents have exacerbated the ongoing conflict, putting further pressure on the region's infrastructure and security forces.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin released an initial statement indicating that a drone attack struck a minibus in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson's administrative center. The attack resulted in the deaths of a utility worker and a woman, leaving seven others injured, including four utility workers. All injured individuals were transported to a hospital for medical treatment. A subsequent strike targeted another minibus in Kherson's Tsentralnyi district, causing additional injuries.
In a separate assessment, Ukraine's Air Force claimed that air defenses successfully intercepted 143 out of 162 drones launched by Russia overnight, highlighting the ongoing aerial threat. In the southwestern Odesa region, Governor Oleh Kiper reported damage to port infrastructure caused by the overnight drone attacks, though there were no casualties. Fires resulting from the attack were quickly extinguished by emergency services.
In Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Synyehubov reported injuries from a drone strike on a high-rise building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, with further injuries reported from additional attacks. Meanwhile, Mykolaiv experienced power outages due to strikes on energy infrastructure, as reported by Governor Vitaliy Kim.
The impact on energy facilities was also significant, with Ukraine's state oil and gas company Naftogaz reporting an aerial bomb strike on a gas pipeline in the Zaporizhzhia region, temporarily disrupting gas supply. Naftogaz also indicated that its facilities in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions have been targeted for a second consecutive day, with a gas production facility in Kharkiv suffering damage a day earlier. The company has documented 99 attacks on its facilities since the beginning of the year.
While Russian authorities have not immediately responded to these claims, the Defense Ministry stated that air defenses shot down 215 Ukrainian drones over 14 regions and maritime areas, including the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Crimea. The ongoing conflict continues to strain resources and infrastructure, leading to heightened tensions and further civilian impact.