On 26 October, Russian troops launched a second attack on the «Epicentre» shopping centre in Vinnytsia. According to local media reports, the strike was carried out by a rocket-powered drone, believed to be of the «Geran-4» type. Natalia Zabolotna, head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, confirmed that the civilian infrastructure facility had been damaged. According to preliminary data, there were no casualties. The new attack was the latest in a series of strikes against the retail chain, which has come under attack at least eight times over the past five days, according to preliminary estimates.
- On 26 October, Russian troops attacked «Epicentre» in Vinnytsia once again.
- Local media are reporting the use of a jet-powered drone, likely a «Geran-4».
- The Vinnytsia Regional State Administration has confirmed damage to civilian infrastructure.
- According to preliminary reports, there are no casualties.
What is known about the second attack on «Epicentre» in Vinnytsia
On Monday, 26 October, at around 10.10 am, an explosion was heard in Vinnytsia whilst an air raid alert was in force. The Ukrainian Air Force had warned of jet-powered drones heading towards the city.
Subsequently, local news outlets reported an attack on the «Epicentre». Videos have also appeared online which, according to their authors, capture the moment of the attack.
Head of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration Natalia Zabolotna has confirmed damage to a civilian infrastructure facility. The relevant services are on site, dealing with the aftermath of the Russian strike.
According to preliminary figures from the regional administration, no one has been injured. Details of the extent of the damage are being clarified.
Local media report that Russian forces may have used a «Geran-4» jet-powered drone. However, there has as yet been no official confirmation of the specific model of drone that struck the retail premises.
Russia has been attacking the chain’s shopping centres for several days running
The latest strike was the latest in a series of Russian attacks on the retail infrastructure of the company «Epicentre K».
The day before, on 25 October, the company reported damage to its facilities in four Ukrainian cities at once — Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Vinnytsia and Poltava. All these attacks took place in less than 24 hours.
In Poltava, a 52-year-old woman was injured following an attack on a shopping centre. In Kharkiv, Russian drones also attacked a shopping centre, and whilst clearing up the aftermath of the strike, rescue workers came under a second attack.
As of the morning of 26 October, seven hypermarkets had reportedly been attacked over a four-day period. If the latest attack in Vinnytsia is counted as a separate incident, the total number over five days rises to eight.
What is known about the «Geran-4» jet drones»
Russian troops have begun to make more extensive use of jet-powered drones «Geranium-4» in autumn 2026. Unlike attack drones with piston engines, the new aircraft are fitted with a jet propulsion system.
On 5 October, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence released information about a new variant of the «Gerani-4». According to intelligence reports, the Russians have upgraded its navigation equipment, in particular by installing additional components to improve the accuracy of its autonomous flight.
The Vinnytsia Regional Police had previously reported that, throughout October, bomb disposal experts had repeatedly found debris from such drones in the region. Among the components found were unexploded warheads.
