Summary of Recent Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine
On May 29, 2025, Ukrainian cities faced significant distress due to overnight drone assaults by Russian forces, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 27 across nine regions, including Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. The Ukrainian Air Force monitored the situation and noted that of the 90 drones launched, only 10 were intercepted. Electronic warfare and radar systems managed to neutralize another 46 drones, but the persistent onslaught created a challenging environment for local residents. The Ukrainian law enforcement counted over 2,000 strikes targeting both frontline areas and civilian neighborhoods, intensifying fears of escalating violence in the region.
In the city of Bilopillia within the Sumy region, one person was confirmed deceased, with another utilising local resources to address injuries from a drone strike. Governor of Donetsk, Vadym Filashkin, reported similar grim incidents in the village of Rivne, where one person lost their life and 13 were injured as a direct result of the Russian attacks. In Sloviansk, the local pedagogical institution faced damage from the strikes, evidencing the indiscriminate nature of the aerial campaign. One resident illustrated the turmoil, recounting a sequence of relentless drone strikes that eventually ceased only when some drones failed to detonate.
The scope of the assault extended into the Zaporizhzhia region, where a guided aerial bomb struck the village of Verkhnia Tersa, leading to another fatality and additional injuries. This attack not only claimed lives but also left behind a path of destruction, with five houses completely destroyed and another 50 sustaining damages, while approximately 600 households were left without electrical power. The casualty rates and property damage reflect the ongoing vulnerability of Ukrainian infrastructure amidst the evolving military tactics employed by Russian forces.
Further south in Dnipropetrovsk’s Nikopol district, residents contended with injuries sustained during another wave of drone attacks aimed at 40 different settlements in the Kherson region. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin noted that attacks around regional capital Kherson were particularly brutal, leading to injuries among ten individuals. The intensification of these strikes highlights a concerning continuity, following a three-day period where over 600 drones and numerous missiles were launched by Russian military units targeting various locations throughout Ukraine.
As the drone warfare escalates, a tragic event unfolded in Russia with the explosion that killed Zaur Gurtsyev, the deputy mayor of Stavropol. Gurtsyev was notably involved in strategic military operations, participating in initiatives to capture Ukrainian cities like Mariupol in 2022. His death, along with two others at the explosion site, initiated investigations by the Russian Investigative Committee into the incident, underscoring that tensions and violence are not restricted to Ukrainian territory.
The recent drone assaults signify a troubling escalation in warfare tactics employed by Russia, placing stress on both military and civilian infrastructures across Ukraine. With damage reported in vital educational institutions and residential areas, the emotional and psychological toll on the population is likely to be profound. As international observers continue to monitor the situation, the need for humanitarian interventions becomes increasingly urgent. The situation remains fluid and requires ongoing assessment as the conflict evolves.
