Russia launches 205 drones at Ukraine; 172 intercepted, one killed in Kharkiv

Russian forces conducted a massive drone strike across Ukraine on the night of October 4–5, launching 205 unmanned aerial vehicles, of which 172 were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, according to the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

In Kharkiv, three rocket drones of the Banderol type struck the Industrial District, hitting residential buildings and causing fires in an administrative building and at an industrial facility. Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov reported one person killed and eight wounded, with one victim in critical condition. The strike damaged windows in five residential buildings, damaged roofs, and destroyed vehicles. Regional administrator Oleh Synehubov confirmed that one strike hit a multi-story residential building.

In Odesa region, the port and industrial infrastructure, as well as residential dachas, came under attack. Regional administrator Oleh Kiper reported large-scale fires and noted that radiation, chemical and biological protection specialists found no dangerous substances following inspection. No casualties were reported in Odesa despite significant damage.

Russian forces also targeted energy infrastructure, striking the Kochetok electrical substation in Kharkiv region. In Odesa region, they reported hitting the Vilkovo port facility, fuel storage depots at Chornomorsk port, and two dry-cargo vessels. Russian sources claimed these facilities were used for military logistics supporting Ukrainian forces. Russian forces also conducted strikes against military and administrative facilities in Kharkiv and multiple other regions including Kyiv, Khmelnytsky, Chernihiv, Poltava, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk.

President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that Russia intends to intensify attacks on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and potentially Lviv, aiming to isolate these cities from the rest of Ukraine as winter approaches. According to sources cited by Financial Times, Russia seeks to increase pressure on Kyiv to concede territorial demands in Donbas by early 2027.