Drone Attack Ignites Volgograd Zhutovskaya Depot Ukrainian forces struck the Zhutovskaya oil depot in Volgograd overnight, sparking a large fire that officials said caused no immediate casualties; the regional governor posted the alert on Telegram without detailing the extent of damage [1]. The depot supplies fuel to Russian military units, making it a strategic target, and Russian authorities began assessing the damage while considering possible evacuations of nearby residents [1]. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike and emphasized the depot’s role in sustaining Moscow’s war effort [1].

Russia Responds with Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile In a coordinated retaliation, Russia launched the nuclear‑capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile, accompanied by drones and other weapons, which disrupted Kyiv’s power supply and heating systems [1]. The missile attack formed part of a broader offensive aimed at Ukrainian energy infrastructure, intensifying the pressure on civilian services [1]. Russian forces also deployed additional drones to compound the damage to Ukraine’s grid [1].

Humanitarian Impact Extends Across Ukraine The United Nations warned that the combined attacks have caused significant civilian casualties and deprived millions of essential services such as electricity, heating, and water [1]. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that heat would be fully restored in Kyiv by Saturday, with emergency blackouts on the right bank of the Dnieper being gradually lifted, while left‑bank restoration remains more complex due to grid damage [1]. The UN spokesperson highlighted the acute humanitarian need amid the ongoing disruptions [1].

Additional Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian Drone Assets Ukraine reported hitting a drone storage facility belonging to Russia’s 19th Motor Rifle Division in Zaporizhzhia, as well as a drone command and control point near Pokrovsk [1]. These strikes aimed to degrade Russian aerial capabilities and complement the Volgograd depot attack [1]. The operations illustrate Ukraine’s broader strategy of targeting logistical and command nodes behind the front lines [1].