On the night of October 19, Russia launched a strike using ballistic missiles and drones against Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and the Kyiv region, as well as energy facilities in eleven regions of the country. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the attack left more than 550,000 families without electricity, damaging both energy infrastructure and civilian targets, including a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and residential buildings.
Ballistic Missiles and Drone Waves
According to Zelenskyy, Russia deployed 16 ballistic missiles overnight, which he assessed as a deliberate targeted attack against Kyiv and the Kyiv region. Simultaneously, over two hundred drones of various types were launched, including jet-powered Shaheds, flying from the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions all the way to Volyn, Rivne, and Odesa. The president noted that, as in previous instances, no prior warning of a potential attack was received from partners.
Energy Strike Across 11 Regions
Energy and critical infrastructure once again became the primary targets. Throughout the night and morning of October 19, Russia attacked energy facilities in Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Ternopil, Odesa, and Rivne regions. In a single night, according to figures announced by Zelenskyy, more than ten energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, and at least 550,000 families were left without power. By the morning of October 19, parts of Vinnytsia, Rivne, and Kharkiv regions remained partially without electricity as repair crews worked on-site.
Casualties and Damaged Civil Infrastructure
In addition to the energy grid, the strikes damaged a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and regular residential buildings. According to the State Emergency Service, one person was killed and eight others were injured, with a metro station and a multi-story residential building sustaining damage. Zelenskyy confirmed the casualties, offered condolences to the families and loved ones, and noted that medical assistance is being provided to the wounded.
Zelenskyy’s Position: War, Sanctions, and Air Defense
In his statement, the president emphasized that Ukraine "never wanted this war" and responded positively to every attempt by partners to end the conflict, whereas Russia’s response remains ballistic missiles, Shaheds, and civilian casualties. He also pointed out that when supplies of missiles for Ukraine's air defense are blocked and Russia receives sanctions relief or delays, it amounts to "a denial of reality by partners," urging them to "call the aggressor an aggressor and help Ukraine protect life."
