Russia launches large overnight drone attack on Ukraine; one killed in Kharkiv
Russian forces attacked Ukraine overnight with 153 drones of various types, including 92 Shahed drones, according to preliminary Ukrainian military figures. Air defenses intercepted or suppressed 119 targets by 08:00, while impacts were reported at 15 locations. The attack caused casualties in Kharkiv, damage and a fire in Zaporizhzhia, and injuries and an evacuation in Vinnytsia.
Key points
- The attack began at 18:00 on 24 October and continued overnight into 25 October.
- Most reports counted 153 attacking drones; one report said 159.
- The drone wave included 92 Shahed, S8000 “BanderoL”/“Dan-T”, “Herber” and “Parodia” decoys.
- By 08:00, Ukrainian air defenses had intercepted or suppressed 119 drones, including 64 Shahed.
- Impacts were recorded at 15 locations, with falling debris reported at nine sites.
- Kharkiv reported four injured people, including three rescuers, and one death.
- Zaporizhzhia reported six missile strikes, while six people were injured in Vinnytsia.
- Fifteen residents were evacuated from a care home for elderly people in Vinnytsia.
Why it matters
The scale, variety and multiple launch directions of the attack tested Ukrainian air defenses across the country. It also caused a reported death and injuries in Kharkiv, including injuries among rescuers, damaged civilian infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia and Vinnytsia, and required the evacuation of a care facility.
What happened
Russia launched a large overnight drone attack on Ukraine beginning at 18:00 on 24 October. Most reports counted 153 attacking drones, including 92 reactive Shahed, S8000 “BanderoL”/“Dan-T”, “Herber” and “Parodia” decoys. By 08:00 on 25 October, Ukrainian air defenses had intercepted or suppressed 119 targets, including 64 Shahed, while nine attacking drones remained airborne and combat operations continued. Air-defense efforts involved aviation, surface-to-air missile units, electronic-warfare and unmanned-system units, and mobile fire groups.
Impacts were recorded at 15 locations and falling debris at nine sites. In Kharkiv, four people were injured, including three rescuers who were working at the scene when the strike was repeated; one person was reported killed. Zaporizhzhia’s local authorities said the city was hit by six missiles and that a shopping facility caught fire. In Vinnytsia, a multistory building was damaged and six people were injured. Fifteen residents were evacuated from a care home for elderly people affected by the attack. Air-raid warnings were issued in several regions.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focused on the performance of the air defenses, with 119 of the attacking drones intercepted or suppressed by 08:00, and detailed the drone types and launch directions. Local consequences in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Vinnytsia were highlighted, including casualties, damage to civilian buildings, a fire and an evacuation. The interception, impact and debris figures were presented as preliminary and based on Ukrainian military updates.
Where reporting differs
Most Ukrainian reports counted 153 attacking drones, while one report gave a total of 159. Most also reported impacts at 15 locations, while one report cited 14 locations. Ukrainian authorities said the interception and impact figures were preliminary.
Background
The drone wave combined Shahed and other attack drones with decoys designed to complicate air-defense efforts. Launches were reported from Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk and Millerovo in Russia, as well as occupied Donetsk and Hvardiiske in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian air defenses responded with aircraft, surface-to-air missile systems, electronic-warfare and unmanned-system units, and mobile fire groups.