Two civilians were killed by Russian aerial strikes on Ukraine's Kharkiv and Chernihiv oblasts in the early hours of 21 May 2026, regional officials said.
Russia launched 116 strike drones—including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and Parodiya decoy models—and one Iskander-M ballistic missile during the overnight assault, 109 of which were shot down or suppressed by 8:30 am, Ukraine's Air Force said.
Air defense intercepts the bulk of the attack
The missile and five strike drones struck targets at five locations, while debris from downed drones fell at a further four locations, the Air Force said. Several Russian drones remained in Ukrainian airspace as of the morning report.
The defense was carried out by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups operating in the north, south, and east of the country.
Casualties in Kharkiv and Chernihiv
A Russian drone struck a truck in Kharkiv district on the morning of 21 May, killing one person, the head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said on Telegram. Firefighting operations were continuing at the time of his statement.
In Chernihiv Oblast, a Russian drone strike on Novhorod-Siverskyi district killed one person and injured two more, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) said. A vehicle and a warehouse building at an agricultural enterprise caught fire and were extinguished by morning.
Damage in Dnipro and Sumy Oblast
A 58-year-old woman was injured in a Russian strike on Dnipro and received medical assistance on site for outpatient treatment, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Hanzha, said. The strike damaged an apartment on the fifth floor of a five-story building and blew out windows in several neighboring buildings.
In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces attacked the Vorozhba community with FPV and long-range strike drones, damaging or destroying private cars, residential houses, and outbuildings, the Vorozhba city council said on Facebook. Power and internet lines were also damaged.
