Broad Russian attack on Ukraine: Five killed in strike on energy facilities in Poltava
[51055] Broad Russian attack on Ukraine: Five killed in strike on energy facilities in Poltava
A massive Russian air attack involving ballistic missiles and drones has led to the deaths of five people and heavy damage to energy infrastructure.
Broad Russian attack on Ukraine: Five killed in strike on energy facilities in Poltava
On the night between May 4 and 5, 2026, Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine, which included the launch of 11 "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles and 164 drones of various types, including "Shahed," "Gerbera," and other models. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, air defense systems intercepted or jammed one ballistic missile and 149 drones. However, strikes by eight missiles and 14 drones were recorded at 14 locations across the country.
The most severe incident occurred in the Poltava region, where gas production facilities of the "Naftogaz" company were targeted. According to reports from 24 Канал, DSNS (State Emergency Service) rescue forces arrived at the scene to extinguish a fire that broke out after the first wave of strikes, but were struck by additional missiles while working on-site. As a result, two firefighters, Viktor Kuzmenko and Dmitry Skryl, and three "Naftogaz" employees were killed. In total, approximately 37 people were injured in this incident, and the Poltava region declared days of mourning on May 5 and 6.
Additional reports from Оперативний ЗСУ indicate that national infrastructure sustained heavy damage, including hits to railway infrastructure and the disruption of gas supply to approximately 3,480 subscribers in the Poltava region. Суспільне Харків reported further strikes in the Kharkiv area, where warehouses and industrial infrastructure were damaged, and one person was killed in a strike on a factory in the Izyum area.
At the same time, the Генеральний штаб ЗСУ stated that 149 combat clashes occurred on the front over the past 24 hours, and that the Russian army suffered heavy losses of approximately 970 soldiers. On the other hand, SPRAVDI claims that Russia's rate of losses exceeds its recruitment capacity, with approximately 35,000 Russian casualties during the month of April alone. It is important to note that Ukrainian sources provide official data from the perspective of the Kyiv authorities, highlighting the civilian damage and losses among rescue forces as evidence of Russian "cynicism and deception."