Zelenskyy: Russia attacked Ukrainian civilian infrastructure with Shahed drones overnight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a wave of overnight Russian drone and missile strikes that targeted several regions across Ukraine, killing at least one person and injuring more than a dozen, including two children.

According to Zelenskyy, nearly 50 unmanned aerial vehicles—primarily Russian-Iranian Shahed drones—were launched alongside a ballistic missile. Ukrainian air defences intercepted many of the drones, but some managed to strike civilian infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports, citing the president’s post on Facebook. 

“In the Kharkiv region’s Lozova area alone, the Russians used more than 25 Shaheds to hit civilian infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on August 5. “The railway was damaged, including a depot and a station. One person was killed in the attack. My condolences to their family and loved ones. Another 10 people were injured, including two children.”

Emergency service teams reportedly worked through the night in Lozova to contain the damage and provide assistance to victims.

Other regions affected by the attacks included Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Sumy. In the village of Bilenke, located in the Zaporizhzhia district, Zelenskyy said Russian forces deliberately targeted civilians using first-person-view (FPV) drones.

“Two people were injured. Once again, the Russian army is hunting civilians in an attempt to terrorize frontline cities and communities,” he stated.

The Ukrainian leader used the opportunity to reiterate his call for tougher international sanctions on Moscow, particularly targeting Russia’s oil revenues and those enabling it.

“The world now sees that sanctions against Russia, and secondary sanctions against all those who help it profiteer from oil, can work if they are strong enough,” Zelenskyy noted. “Therefore, pressure must be increased, and this will undoubtedly contribute to peace.”

He expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s international allies, including the United States, the European Union, and G7 nations, urging them to take “meaningful and decisive steps” in tightening sanctions.

By Sabina Mammadli