Attack on Ukraine: May 14
On the night of May 14, the Russian military launched an assault on Ukraine using missiles and drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were tracked moving over Kremenchuk toward the Kyiv region, as well as from Mykolaiv region into Kirovohrad region and from Dnipropetrovsk region into Poltava region. Simultaneously, Iskander-K missiles were detected in the Kyiv region, heading toward Boryspil and Ukrainka. Additional missiles were identified in Cherkasy region and heading toward Kropyvnytskyi. One missile performed a maneuver and changed course toward Poltava region, where explosions were heard in the Poltava district.
Before this combined attack, the enemy struck Kharkiv. In the Osnovianskyi district of the city, a hostile UAV hit a garage cooperative, damaging three vehicles. In the Kholodnohirskyi district, window glazing of a residential building was also damaged. According to Oleh Syniehubov, there were no casualties in Kharkiv.
Massive Strike Across Ukraine
It is worth recalling that on the afternoon of May 13, Russia had already carried out a massive strike on cities in western Ukraine, including Lutsk, Kovel, Kolomyia, Khmelnytskyi, and Ivano-Frankivsk. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate reported the start of a prolonged, large-scale aerial assault on critical infrastructure. This attack may continue for an extended period, with the aggressor operating in multiple waves.
- In the first wave, Russia deployed a significant number of attack drones,
- and subsequently plans to use air- and sea-launched cruise missiles,
- as well as ballistic missiles.
The primary targets of the attack are critical infrastructure facilities and life-support systems of major cities. The targets are flying at low altitudes, making them difficult to detect by radar.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that it is possible the occupiers may launch missiles against Ukraine after all waves of drones.
This escalation of hostilities signals a new phase in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The attacks on critical infrastructure and populated areas indicate the aggressor’s intent to continue targeted strikes, which could have severe consequences for civilians. Amid the ongoing threat, the readiness of the Ukrainian army to defend and counter new challenges remains crucial.
The recent wave of attacks is reminiscent of one of Russia's largest air offensives, which resulted in significant casualties and destruction across Ukraine. For a deeper understanding of the scale and impact of these assaults, you can read more about the tragic outcomes of this extensive airstrike that claimed at least 17 lives in our detailed report here.