Russia launches massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure

Why it matters

The attack directly threatened infrastructure supporting the stable operation of a nuclear power plant, prompting Ukraine to inform the IAEA and argue that the risk extends to nuclear safety across Europe. Its scale also caused emergency electricity outages, temporary disruption of water and public transport in Kyiv, and damage to power plants serving millions of consumers. Ukrainian officials called for a stronger international response to attacks on infrastructure supporting nuclear plants.

What happened

Beginning at 18:00 on November 2, Russia launched a multi-wave attack involving 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles. The main strike directions were Kyiv, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, with energy facilities, including three DTEK thermal power plants, among the principal targets. The plants were struck by dozens of missiles and drones, seriously damaged and suspended generation, although their employees were unharmed. Three drones were also directed at a substation described as critical to the stable operation of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.

By 09:00 on November 3, the Air Force reported that 309 targets had been neutralized: three ballistic missiles, 49 cruise missiles and 257 drones, including 89 reactive drones. Incoming fire was recorded at 23 locations, while debris fell at 14 sites. Emergency electricity cuts were imposed in Kyiv, Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Kyiv temporarily lost water service after power interruptions affected Kyivvodokanal facilities, and public transport faced disruptions.

A strike hit a hospital in Kharkiv's Nemyshlianskyi district, injuring patients, medical workers and nearby residents; 226 patients were evacuated to other medical institutions. In Dnipro, residential buildings, critical infrastructure, a police station, a hospital, an outpatient clinic and a thermal power plant were damaged, leaving one person dead and 17 injured. In the Vinnytsia region, damage to energy facilities and transmission lines left most settlements without electricity, while about 130 settlements and more than 180,000 consumers lost power in Zhytomyr region.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian officials and media emphasized the attack on the substation supporting the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant and its implications for European nuclear safety. They also highlighted damage to power plants and substations, emergency electricity cuts, water-supply disruptions and reduced public transport services in Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities informed the IAEA and ambassadors from G7, EU and NB8 countries while seeking stronger international support.

How international sources describe it

The attack was presented as an escalation affecting nuclear safety beyond Ukraine because it targeted infrastructure important for the stable operation of a nuclear power plant. Ukraine sought international assistance in protecting its airspace and a stronger response to attacks on infrastructure supporting nuclear facilities.

Where reporting differs

Early reports put the number of people injured by the Kharkiv hospital strike at 62, while later reports raised it to 73. The number injured in Dnipro was initially reported as 15 and later increased to 17.

Background

The attack combined a large drone salvo with ballistic and cruise missiles. Its energy component included three severely damaged DTEK thermal power plants and numerous substations, while the reported strike on a substation supporting the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant raised a direct nuclear-safety concern. Ukrainian and international organizations characterize deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure as war crimes, while Russian authorities deny that the Russian armed forces intentionally target civilian infrastructure or kill civilians.