Ukraine Hit by Massive Russian Airstrikes, 4 Dead

Children play amid the ruins of a school in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Ukraine faced a massive Russian bombing raid overnight, reportedly killing four people, including a teenage girl. The attack lasted around 12 hours and involved nearly 600 drones, 46 cruise missiles, and five rockets.

“More lives have been lost… homes have been impacted [and] children are among the casualties,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia were among the hardest-hit regions, with homes and public services damaged or destroyed.

The UN World Health Organization reported that a cardiology facility in Kyiv was also struck, killing two.

At the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, emergency generators continue to power six shutdown reactors after the tenth complete loss of offsite power last week. The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned of “constant dangers” to nuclear safety after drones were downed near the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant.

An on-site IAEA team observed 22 drones approaching the facility, some as close as 500 metres. A crater measuring four metres square and one metre deep was left by one downed drone. Director General Grossi urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint around all nuclear sites.

As winter approaches, attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have cut power to thousands. In the first half of 2025, the UN and partners assisted 2.4 million people, while total needs remain more than twice that number.

The 2025–2026 Winter Response Plan, launched in July, seeks $280 million in funding but is only about 40% financed. Aid efforts focus on assisting frontline residents, supporting evacuations, delivering post-strike aid, and helping internally displaced people. OCHA stressed that relief continues in areas beyond the primary focus, particularly in western and central Ukraine.