[66661] Massive drone attack on Ukraine: energy infrastructure hit and casualties in various cities

[66661] Massive drone attack on Ukraine: energy infrastructure hit and casualties in various cities

During the night and morning of May 19, Ukraine suffered a large-scale drone attack that caused casualties, destruction of critical energy infrastructure, and widespread damage across the country.

A night of large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine

During the night between May 18 and 19, 2026, Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine, using 209 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, including 'Shahed', 'Gerbera', 'Italmas', and decoy drones. According to data from the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, air defense systems managed to intercept or neutralize 180 of the hostile vehicles, while 27 additional drones hit 15 different locations across the country.

Damage to energy infrastructure

The attacks focused specifically on vital infrastructure. According to reports from Naftogaz, this is the third consecutive day that the company's gas facilities have been attacked. This morning, several facilities in the Chernihiv region were hit, where critical equipment was damaged, although staff were evacuated and no casualties were reported. Other media outlets noted that a ballistic strike was also carried out in Pryluky, causing the deaths of two people and injuring 17, including a 14-year-old girl.

Casualties and civilian damage

The city of Kharkiv and the region suffered heavy impacts. As reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov, night and morning strikes in the Kholodnohirskyi and Novobavarskyi districts led to damage to 25 private homes and one apartment building, with three people injured. Suspilne reports on events in Putilivka noted the death of a 69-year-old woman and injuries to three others, including a girl.

Additional fronts

At the same time, the Dnipropetrovsk Military Administration reported damage to infrastructure in the Nikopol, Samara, and Kryvyi Rih areas, where two civilians were wounded by artillery and drone strikes. In Hlukhiv in the Sumy region, two more men were killed and four were injured as a result of the attacks.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine concluded that 236 combat engagements were recorded over the past day, with Russia making extensive use of drones and guided aerial bombs (KAB). Ukrainian forces continue to carry out defensive missions and thwart enemy advancement attempts at various points along the front.