A barrage of Russian drones struck Ukraine’s southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia late on Thursday, May 1, 2025, setting buildings ablaze and injuring 14 people, though no deaths were reported. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov, addressing the incident on Telegram, corrected earlier reports of a fatality, confirming that one man trapped under rubble was rescued alive. Nine of the injured are receiving hospital treatment, reflecting the severity of the attack’s impact on civilians.
Fedorov reported that Russian forces launched at least 10 drone strikes, targeting a range of civilian infrastructure, including private homes, high-rise apartment buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure sites. The assault left a trail of destruction, with images circulating online showing flames engulfing a building and rescue teams navigating rubble-strewn areas. One striking photo captured rescuers carrying an injured man to safety, while others depicted teams using extended ladders to access damaged structures, underscoring the chaotic aftermath.
The attack is part of an escalating pattern of Russian drone assaults on Zaporizhzhia, a city that has faced repeated strikes since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Posts on X highlighted the intensity of the barrage, with some claiming up to 12 Geran-2 drones were deployed, at least seven hitting their targets, including a direct strike on a residential building. This follows a deadly March 21, 2025, attack in the city that killed three family members, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilians despite intermittent ceasefire talks.
Zaporizhzhia’s strategic significance, home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant under Russian control since March 2022, adds a layer of global concern to these attacks. While Thursday’s strikes did not target the nuclear facility, the city’s proximity to front lines and its role as a hub for Ukrainian resistance make it a frequent target. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the risks to civilian safety in the region, noting that aerial glide bombs have caused significant casualties in Zaporizhzhia since September 2024. As rescue efforts continue, the attack underscores the unrelenting toll of the conflict on Ukraine’s civilian population, with calls for international support to protect vulnerable communities growing louder.
Leave a comment