"Not a single hour was our sky clear:" Zelenskyi on massive attack of over 850 UAVs
Zelenskyi notes that the attack occurred "during an artificial speed restriction on our defense capabilities."
Ukrainian forces managed to down part of the drones, but could not prevent a significant number of strikes.
In his view, Russia deliberately resorted to such escalation, following the easing of sanctions and amid attempts to pressure Ukraine.
He also stresses that Russia exploits favorable circumstances to continue its aggression and must be held accountable for its actions.
Photo source: State Emergency Service
"Russia uses every such moment and must answer for what it does," the president notes.
Zelenskyi highlights the need for decisive action to end the war. He names stable support from partners—primarily regarding airspace defense—as another key condition.
The president also declares the necessity of decisive measures to conclude the war and consistent assistance from allies, especially in safeguarding the skies.
Background
During the night of October 15, Russian forces deployed two missiles and 580 strike drones. Ukrainian air defense forces neutralized the majority of the strike assets Russia used in the attack.
The Kirovohrad region became one of the regions subjected to an especially intense strike.
Late in the evening on October 14, Kropyvnytskyi came under a massive Russian attack. Three people died, and six others sustained injuries. Authorities recorded enemy strikes across 25 locations in the region, including enterprises, logistics hubs, storage facilities, residential houses, and transport infrastructure assets.
On the evening of October 14, Russian troops also attacked a multi-story residential building in Odesa. The strike damaged the building's facade, partially destroyed an apartment, and blew out windows and doors. Authorities received no reports of casualties.
Additionally, in the Poltava region, Russian drones hit two industrial enterprises in Poltava and Myrhorod districts. No casualties occurred as a result of the attack.
In Chortkiv, Ternopil region, a Russian drone attacked a manufacturing enterprise, starting a fire. Emergency crews extinguished the blaze, while five people sought medical assistance, with emergency services transporting two to the hospital.
Furthermore, on the morning of October 15, Russian forces attacked the Dnipro and Pavlohrad districts of the Dnipropetrovsk region. In the Novooleksandrivka community, a strike destroyed a private house, killing two people.
In the Pecherskyi district of Kyiv, drone debris fell on open territory near a residential building, causing damage and injuring people, two of whom emergency teams hospitalized.
- Last
- October, 16
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- October, 15
-
-
-
News by day
17 of October 2026
