Russian Drone Attack Hits Multiple Ukrainian Regions as Air Defenses Down 63 UAVs

Russia carried out another airstrike against Ukraine on Dec. 18, launching 82 drones overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting most of the targets, military officials said.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia used Shahed-type drones, Gerbera drones, and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from several locations in Russia, including Millerovo, Kursk, Oryol, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. About 50 of the drones were Shaheds.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 63 drones during the attack.

The attack targeted several regions across Ukraine, including Cherkasy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy regions. Ukrainian aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare teams, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups were all involved in repelling the attack.

In Sumy, a drone hit civilian infrastructure in the Kovpakivskyi district, damaging windows in residential and non-residential buildings. Authorities said there were no fatalities, though at least one person was injured.

In the Odesa region, falling debris from intercepted drones damaged windows in a nine-story residential building and an educational facility in the Odesa district. No fires were reported. Seven people were injured, with six receiving medical care at the scene and one person hospitalized in moderate condition.

In the Mykolaiv region, Russian drones struck energy infrastructure overnight, causing power outages in parts of the Voznesensk and Mykolaiv districts. Officials said no casualties were reported.

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Cherkasy region also came under attack, with regional governor Ihor Taburets reporting a drone strike on the regional center that caused infrastructure damage. Emergency services were working at the scene, with further details to be released later.

In Kryvyi Rih, drones hit residential areas, triggering fires. A nearby school was opened as a coordination center to assist affected residents. A 58-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman were injured.