Massive Russian Drone and Missile Barrage Hits Ukraine, Kills Five and Triggers Widespread Blackouts

Russia carried out one of its most extensive combined attacks in weeks overnight on October 5, striking several Ukrainian regions with drones and missiles.

The assault targeted both residential and energy infrastructure across the country, leaving at least four people dead and more than a dozen injured.

Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted a significant number of incoming drones and missiles, but many still struck critical facilities, causing blackouts and fires in multiple areas.

Lviv region

Lviv suffered the heaviest damage in what officials described as one of the most massive strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion. Four people were killed and four injured when drones and missiles hit the region overnight.

Governor Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed that the attacks involved Shahed drones, Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles fired by MiG-31 fighter jets.

The strikes triggered several large fires, including a major blaze at the Sparrow Industrial Park, a civilian facility located in the city’s Syhnivka district.

The site, opened in 2021, hosts light industry, logistics, and manufacturing companies. Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported that no military facilities were located there.

Dense smoke was observed over the city, prompting authorities to urge residents to keep windows closed and limit outdoor activity. Power outages were reported across neighborhoods including Riasne and Levandivka, while public transportation was temporarily halted.

Zaporizhzhia region

In Zaporizhzhia, a combined attack involving drones and air-dropped bombs struck multiple residential areas.

Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that one person was killed and at least ten injured, with damage to apartment buildings, private homes, and non-residential facilities. Eight apartment buildings and eight private homes were partially destroyed, and fires broke out in several districts.

More than 290 consumers lost gas supply after pipelines and a major gas main were damaged. Electricity and water supply were also temporarily disrupted, affecting tens of thousands of residents.

Emergency crews began restoration work early Sunday morning, while investigators assessed the extent of the destruction.

Chernihiv region

According to the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, Russian Shahed drones struck industrial and energy facilities in and around Chernihiv city.

One enterprise caught fire, and another hit on an energy site led to emergency power cuts in one district.

Parts of Nizhyn district were also attacked—a residential house and an enterprise were damaged, and in the Semenivka community a local administrative building sustained structural impacts.

Firefighters and utility workers were deployed to extinguish fires and restore power. The administration reported that 55 strikes had occurred across the region within the previous 24 hours, hitting 27 settlements.

Ivano-Frankivsk region

Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk said critical infrastructure in Ivano-Frankivsk region was again targeted during the night. Air defense forces engaged incoming drones, and preliminary reports indicated no casualties.

A residential building in one community sustained minor damage. Onyshchuk thanked air defense units for their effective work and urged residents to stay alert and report any debris or unexploded munitions.

Cherkasy region

Cherkasy also came under heavy drone attack. Governor Ihor Taburets reported that 13 Russian drones were shot down overnight.

There were no injuries, but fragments from one downed drone damaged power lines in the Cherkasy district, leaving part of the region temporarily without electricity. Emergency energy crews began immediate repairs.

Taburets described the night as “difficult,” with air raid alarms lasting over seven hours.

Kirovohrad and Vinnytsia regions

In Kirovohrad region, debris from intercepted drones damaged rooftops and windows in several homes and farm structures. Local authorities confirmed that ten households were affected but that no injuries were reported.

In Vinnytsia region, a civilian industrial facility was struck, causing material damage but no casualties. Both regional administrations said that all services were working to restore utilities and assist residents.

Russia launched waves of Shahed-type attack drones, Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea, and Kinzhal ballistic missiles from MiG-31 aircraft, as well as long-range Kh-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS bombers.

Air raid alerts lasted several hours nationwide. Ukrainian energy operator Ukrenergo reported widespread power disruptions, with the most severe outages in Lviv, Chernihiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

President Zelenskyy’s statement

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 5, Russia launched more than 50 missiles and about 500 attack drones overnight, striking ten regions across Ukraine.

“Around ten people were injured, and five were killed. My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that Ukraine urgently needs stronger air defenses and faster delivery of promised systems:

“Russia again targeted our infrastructure—everything that ensures a normal life. A one-sided ceasefire in the sky is possible, and it could open the path to real diplomacy. America and Europe must act to make Putin stop.”

Earlier, on October 4, Russian drones struck the Shostka railway station in Sumy region twice, hitting evacuees and rescuers. About 30 people were injured, including children. Officials condemned it as a deliberate “double strike” on civilians.

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