Five people were killed and one injured when Russian forces struck the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv with Iranian-made Shahed-131/136 drones on 11 November, according to Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration Vitalii Kim.
Russian forces have significantly increased their use of Iranian-made Shahed drones in attacks on Ukrainian cities, with a record 2,023 drones launched in October 2024 alone. Russian drones are deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and non-combatants, instilling psychological terror among the Ukrainian population and disrupting daily life. This escalation also raises concerns about future mass missile strikes as Russia appears to be stockpiling missiles for potential large-scale assaults during the colder months.
The attack occurred around 1:50 a.m., targeting residential areas. A 45-year-old woman was hospitalized, and 22 people required psychological assistance at the scene, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reports.
Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted five Shahed drones over Mykolaiv Oblast during the night.
The strikes caused significant infrastructure damage, resulting in fires at both a multi-story apartment building and a private residence.
One private house was completely destroyed, while several others sustained damage. The blast wave affected multiple apartments and four commercial establishments, leading to disruptions in heating and gas supply networks.
“Russians once again attacked our city with drones. There is damage to residential buildings,” Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych said in his official statement.
Emergency services responded to fires on the third and fourth floors of a four-story building, as well as at a single-story private house. Two passenger vehicles were destroyed in the attack.
Search and rescue operations have been completed, according to local authorities.
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