UKRAINE — In the early hours of Tuesday, November 12, 2025, Russian forces launched a series of drone strikes on Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district, causing widespread damage to civilian infrastructure and injuring at least two people. The attack followed an air raid alert issued by Ukraine’s Air Forces, warning of incoming unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to city officials, three strike drones targeted the district, hitting a civilian manufacturing site, a transport company, and multiple residential buildings. The strikes occurred just after 3:00 a.m., jolting residents from their sleep and triggering emergency response protocols across the city.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and fear. “We woke up to a loud explosion and saw smoke rising from the street,” said Olena Kovalenko, a resident of one of the damaged apartment buildings. “Windows shattered, alarms went off, and people rushed outside in panic.”
Emergency services responded swiftly, confirming that five private houses and 15 apartment buildings were affected. Firefighters battled flames in a warehouse and worked to stabilize structures at risk of collapse. Two civilians were injured and transported to local hospitals, where they remain in stable condition.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov condemned the attack, stating that the drones deliberately targeted non-military facilities. “This is another act of terror against civilians,” he said. “There were no military installations in the vicinity — only homes, businesses, and families.”
The drones used in the attack were identified as Shahed-type UAVs, Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles that Russia has deployed extensively in its campaign against Ukraine. These drones are known for their long range and explosive payloads, often used to strike civilian targets and overwhelm air defense systems.
Ukraine’s military reported intercepting several drones in other regions overnight, but the ones that hit Kharkiv managed to evade defenses. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that the injured individuals suffered shrapnel wounds and minor burns, and that rescue teams continued to search the area for additional victims.
International reactions were swift. The European Union, United Nations, and NATO officials condemned the strikes, calling them violations of international law. Human rights organizations renewed calls for investigations into potential war crimes committed during Russia’s ongoing invasion.
This is not the first time Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district has been targeted. The area has faced repeated bombardments since the start of the war, with previous drone and missile attacks damaging schools, hospitals, and residential blocks. Residents say they live in constant fear of the next strike.
Humanitarian agencies are mobilizing to support displaced families and repair damaged infrastructure. Local volunteers have begun distributing blankets, food, and emergency supplies to affected households. The Ukrainian government is urging residents in high-risk zones to remain alert and follow safety protocols as winter approaches and aerial attacks intensify.
