Massive New Year drone attack leaves 100,000 without power in Volyn Oblast (PHOTOS)

Russian forces launched 205 strike drones against Ukraine during the night of December 31 to January 1, according to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense units intercepted 176 drones, while 24 reached their targets across 15 locations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the strikes targeted energy facilities across seven Oblasts, including Volyn, Rivne, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv. 

"Russia deliberately brings war into the new year," Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that there can be no "pauses in the protection of life" and calling for the timely delivery of air defense equipment promised by allies.

Over 103,000 customers without electricity in Volyn Oblast

Volyn Oblast in northwestern Ukraine was a primary target of the overnight assault. Ivan Rudnytskyi, Head of the Volyn Regional Military Administration, stated that several dozen drones targeted critical infrastructure facilities throughout the night.

The strikes resulted in fires in the regional center, Lutsk, and the Kovel district. According to "Volynoblenergo," the damage to infrastructure led to power outages for 103,341 customers. 

Local officials confirmed that while fires were being extinguished, repair crews began work to restore electricity. No casualties were reported in the region.

Rail depots and freight cars hit in Kovel and Konotop

Vice Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksiy Kuleba reported that the attack hit several railway assets. In Kovel, a strategic rail hub in Volyn Oblast, approximately seven drones struck a locomotive depot.

To the east, in Konotop, Sumy Oblast, a railway station was hit, resulting in damage to freight wagons. National rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia reported that despite the infrastructure damage, passenger train schedules were not affected.

Port equipment and berths damaged in Odesa and Izmail

In Odesa Oblast, drones and debris damaged port infrastructure in both Odesa and Izmail. In Izmail, a key Danube river port, the attack damaged berths and technical equipment.

In the Odesa port, infrastructure and transport vehicles were damaged by debris and pressure waves. Kuleba stated that despite the damage, the ports continue to function and fulfill export obligations. He noted that the threat of further attacks in the region has slowed some of the recovery and restoration efforts.

Residential buildings struck across the country

Residential areas sustained damage from direct hits and falling debris across southern and eastern Ukraine:

• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Shelling and drone attacks in the Nikopol district damaged four private houses, gas pipelines, and 12 solar panels.
• Odesa Oblast: In Odesa city, a drone hit the 17th floor of a high-rise residential building but did not detonate. A separate two-story residential house was also damaged.
• Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Regional authorities reported 612 strikes on 24 settlements over the 24-hour period of December 31, resulting in nine injuries.
• Kharkiv Oblast: In the Kupiansk and Chuhuiv districts, private houses and outbuildings caught fire following drone strikes on residential properties.