ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE – A Russian drone strike on a humanitarian aid warehouse in Zaporizhzhia early Saturday morning has destroyed 100 tonnes of supplies intended for internally displaced persons and frontline communities. The attack also injured three people, including two police officers and a civilian.
Extent of Damage and Local Response
The estimated damage from the strike is $3 million, according to Oleksandr Beluga, founder of Beluga UA, an NGO that had recently received five truckloads of aid. Shops, a multi-story building, and a public transport stop were also damaged in the attack.
Ongoing Air Strikes Across Ukraine
Beyond Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipro were also targeted in a massive Russian aerial assault involving 58 Shahed drones and imitation UAVs. The Ukrainian air force reported that 43 drones were neutralized, with 23 shot down and 20 jammed.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Military-Industrial Facilities
In response, Ukrainian forces launched overnight drone strikes on two Russian chemical plants in Stavropol Krai and Samara Oblast, which are key suppliers of explosive materials for Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Bodies of 1,200 Soldiers Returned in Prisoner Exchange
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia completed a major exchange, with 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers returned following peace talks in Istanbul. The swap also included gravely ill and wounded prisoners of war, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
Conclusion
The destruction of humanitarian aid in Zaporizhzhia underscores the ongoing devastation caused by the war, while Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes signal continued efforts to disrupt Russia’s military supply chain.
Picture for Illustration purpose only: Falling debris by Angus McIntyre
