The southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia endured a devastating mass drone attack by Russian forces late on Tuesday, resulting in widespread destruction and injuries. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that at least seven individuals were wounded, with three requiring hospitalization, as fires erupted and numerous buildings and vehicles sustained severe damage.
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
Posting updates on the Telegram messaging app, Fedorov detailed the destruction, noting that shops were obliterated, other structures compromised, and cars smashed in the assault. The immediate aftermath saw a large-scale rescue operation initiated across 12 different locations within the city. Governor Fedorov emphasized the rapid deployment of emergency services, national police, and medical teams to manage the crisis and aid the affected.
Visuals circulating online depicted courageous firefighters battling intense blazes engulfing high-rise apartment complexes, alongside images of burnt-out vehicles scattered across city streets, underscoring the ferocity of the attack.
Regional Context and Escalating Tensions
This assault occurs amidst a complex and contested regional landscape. While Russian forces occupy significant portions of the broader Zaporizhzhia region, the city of Zaporizhzhia itself remains firmly under Ukrainian control. The ongoing conflict in the area has seen recent gains by Russian forces in other parts of the region.
Counter-Claims of Ukrainian Attacks
In a related development, Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russia-appointed head of the Russian-occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region, claimed that Ukrainian forces had targeted power grid infrastructure in areas under Russian administration. Balitsky stated via Telegram that these alleged attacks had led to power outages affecting approximately 40,000 customers in Russian-controlled towns within the region, highlighting the tit-for-tat nature of the conflict's impact on civilian infrastructure.