On the night of 15 October 2026, Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on the Kirovohrad region, which lasted over 10 hours. Three people were killed and a further six were injured as a result of the strikes. Kropyvnytskyi suffered the most damage, with residential buildings, industrial enterprises, warehouses and logistics facilities all hit. According to the State Emergency Service, a total of 25 locations across the region were recorded as having been affected by the Russian attack.
- Russia attacked the Kirovohrad region with drones for over 10 hours.
- Three people were killed and a further six were injured.
- In Kropyvnytskyi, residential buildings, businesses and warehouses have been damaged.
- The State Emergency Service has recorded the effects of the attack at 25 locations across the region.
Massive attack on Kropyvnytskyi: what we know
The Russian attack began on the evening of 14 October and continued throughout the night. Explosions were heard repeatedly in the regional capital, and the local authorities reported further strikes and damage to civilian infrastructure.
Head of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration Andriy Raikovich reported that transport, logistics and industrial facilities were the main targets of the Russian strikes.
In Kropyvnytskyi, drones struck the premises of businesses, logistics centres, warehouse complexes, residential buildings and surrounding areas. The strikes caused large-scale fires. Units from the State Emergency Service were deployed to extinguish the fires.
Transport infrastructure in the Kropyvnytskyi and Novoukrainskyi districts was also hit by Russian strikes. Fires broke out at the sites of the strikes.
Three dead and six injured
During the night-time attack, the death toll in Kropyvnytskyi gradually rose. Initially, the local authorities reported one fatality; later, it emerged that there had been a second victim. At around 1 am on 15 October, Andriy Raikovych confirmed the death of a third person. A further six residents of the city were injured. Five of the injured were admitted to hospitals in Kropyvnytskyi, whilst one person declined hospitalisation.
In addition, the area surrounding a multi-storey residential block in the regional capital was damaged. The strike shattered windows and damaged parked cars.
There has also been damage to private homes in the Kropyvnytskyi district. Details of the full extent of the damage are still being ascertained.
The aftermath of the attack was recorded at 25 locations
According to the State Emergency Service, a total of 25 locations in the Kirovohrad region have been identified as having come under Russian attack. Rescue workers are operating at the sites of the strikes. They are extinguishing fires and inspecting damaged buildings and the surrounding areas.
Industrial and transport infrastructure suffered particularly severe damage. At the same time, residential areas were also hit.
Emergency services are continuing to assess the extent of the damage. The final number of casualties may change once the survey of the affected areas has been completed.
Russia has launched 580 drones at Ukraine
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, on the night of 15 October, Russia carried out one of its largest-scale air strikes, using 580 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types and two X-59 guided air-to-surface missiles.
Russian troops used Shahed attack drones, «Gerbera» and «Parody» mock-up drones.
As of 08:00, the Ukrainian Defence Forces had shot down or neutralised 536 enemy drones.
Across Ukraine as a whole, air strikes were recorded at 31 locations, whilst downed drones and debris were found at 11 locations.
The Air Force warned that, at the time the report was published, the attack was still ongoing and Russian drones remained in the airspace.
