Russian drone strike sparks fire in Ukraine's Mykolaiv residential building 240 evacuated / PHOTO

On the morning of December 1, a Russian drone struck a nine-story residential building in Mykolaiv, causing a fire on the roof, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) in Mykolaiv reported.

According to military sources, Russian drones were approaching the city earlier in the morning, and residents shortly thereafter reported hearing an explosion.

Vitaliy Kim, head of the regional military administration, confirmed that the strike, carried out by “Shahed” UAVs, ignited the roof of the nine-story building. The SES later clarified that the blaze originated from debris from the drone hitting the structure, which set the elevator shaft on fire.

Emergency services, including Red Cross rapid response volunteers, law enforcement, medical teams, and utility crews from Mykolaivoblenergo and Mykolaivgaz, immediately responded to the scene. An explosive ordnance disposal team was also deployed to ensure the area was safe from unexploded drone remnants. The fire affected roughly 20 square metres of the building.

Authorities evacuated 240 people, encompassing residents of the affected building and two neighboring structures, as well as individuals from a nearby kindergarten and lyceum. Among the evacuees were five persons with limited mobility. No injuries have been reported. SES psychologists provided assistance to those evacuated. A total of 30 personnel and eight specialized vehicles were deployed in the emergency operation.

By Vafa Guliyeva