Hospital in Kharkiv Oblast attacked by Russian drones overnight

Russian military forces launched multiple drone attacks on a hospital in Zolochiv, Kharkiv Oblast, around midnight on 14 March, then targeted the facility again after the first responders arrived.

Russia continues its deliberate daily air attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure. Since October 2022, it has systematically targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with extensive missile and drone assaults, aiming to disrupt civilian life, particularly during the winter months.

According to Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, the initial drone strike caused the hospital’s roof to catch fire.

“The roof caught fire as a result of the drone hit. After 40 minutes, Russia launched a repeated strike with two drones,” Syniehubov stated.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Health reported that no patients were harmed in the terrorist attack as they were in a shelter at the time. “Some patients have already been transferred to other hospitals,” the Ministry added.

A 33-year-old emergency response team worker suffered an acute stress reaction during the attack, Syniehubov noted.

By morning, firefighters had extinguished the blaze that covered 1,500 square meters of the roof, according to the State Emergency Service. Emergency workers themselves came under fire when the occupiers launched a repeated strike during firefighting efforts, but they managed to reach shelter in time. It took six hours to fully extinguish the fire.

Speaking to Suspilne, the head of the Zolochiv settlement Military Administration provided details about the attack.

“The first strike was a direct hit to the roof, the second hit the side passage between the primary care center and the hospital,” he explained. “A fire started immediately, emergency service workers and police arrived. Then a second wave of Shaheds (Russo-Iranian explosive drones, – Ed.) hit the roof of the primary care center again. A third wave of Shaheds passed by without hitting.”

The official noted that the roof was completely destroyed, but repair works were underway. Electricity has been restored, and workers are repairing heat and gas supply systems.

Air defense response

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that air defense forces shot down 16 drones in four oblasts during the night of 14 March, while 9 decoy drones failed to reach their targets and were lost from radar.

According to the Air Force, Russian forces launched 27 Shahed strike drones and various types of decoy drones from Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia beginning at 20:00 on 13 March.

By 09:00, the Air Force confirmed the downing of 16 Shahed strike drones in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kharkiv oblasts. Nine decoy drones were lost from radar without negative consequences.

“Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts suffered as a result of the Russian attack,” the Air Force statement said.

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