Russia hits Ukrainian logistics and power sites as drones set fires in Ryazan
Defence officials on both sides reported infrastructure damage and civilian injuries from coordinated attacks on November 4 and 5.
By Grace Anderson ·
Russian forces struck a major Ukrainian postal hub, a power substation, and a cargo ship in the Black Sea on Thursday, while a large drone swarm ignited industrial fires in the Russian region of Ryazan.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated via Telegram that drones hit a Nova Poshta terminal in Novyi Korotych, outside Kharkiv. The ministry claimed the attack also damaged a 330-kilovolt substation in the Dnipropetrovsk region and a dry cargo vessel 52 kilometers southwest of Odesa. Ukraine’s largest private delivery operator operates the targeted terminal. Ukrainian officials did not immediately confirm the strikes on the postal facility or the ship.
In the Kharkiv region, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that more than 80 Russian drones targeted the city and 17 settlements over the previous day. Six people were injured, including one child. In the Bucha district near Kyiv, overnight drone attacks caused major fires at a logistics center and injured one person. Moscow says these logistics facilities support Ukraine’s military efforts. Nova Poshta sites have been struck before, including an August attack on a Kyiv sorting center that killed three people.
In Donetsk, Governor Vadym Filashkin said Russian attacks on Wednesday killed four civilians and wounded five others. Two deaths occurred in Serhiivka and two in Yasnohirka. Local outlet Novosti Donbasu reported that the two victims in Yasnohirka were women killed when two Russian glide bombs hit the village.
Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov said more than 200 Ukrainian drones attacked his region overnight. The region lies about 200 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Debris from the drones started fires at several industrial facilities, damaged electricity lines, and cut power to parts of the city. One person was injured. Malkov later reported that electricity had been restored and the fires were out or contained. Independent Russian outlet Astra verified footage of a blaze at the Ryazan oil refinery, owned by state company Rosneft. A local school also suffered shattered windows, and classes were cancelled.
Ukrainian forces increased attacks on Russian refineries following a pause in late October. The Yaroslavl refinery was struck two days before the Ryazan attacks. Fuel production continued, though occasional shortages appeared as drivers rushed to buy fuel. Russia has also stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s electricity network, causing rolling blackouts in Kyiv since mid-October. Some residents have gone days without power or water. City authorities said heating would remain off until temperatures stayed at minus 5 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days. Temperatures are currently nearing zero.
