Strikes Target Kyiv and Kharkiv
In the early hours of February 26, Russian forces launched a combined attack on Kyiv, employing both drones and ballistic missiles. At least three districts of the capital were impacted, with initial reports of damage coming from the Darnytskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Pecherskyi areas.
In Darnytskyi district, windows and doors were damaged in a first-floor apartment of a nine-story building. Fortunately, no fires or casualties were reported there. A fire broke out in a garage complex in Holosiivskyi district, covering an area of 30 square meters; it was contained by 06:28. In Pecherskyi district, a fire in a private house, also covering 30 square meters, was extinguished by 06:00.
Attacks Extend to Other Regions
The assault also targeted Kharkiv, where Russian forces similarly used drones and ballistic missiles. At least four districts of the city were affected, including:
- Shevchenkivskyi
- Kyivskyi
- Saltivskyi
- Slobidskyi
Attacks on Zaporizhzhia resulted in at least one person being injured.
Significantly, on February 25, Kharkiv recorded its first confirmed use of a Russian FPV drone guided by fiber-optic cable. The 13-inch drone struck a tree in the Kyivskyi district around 15:00. This marks the first verified instance of such a drone being deployed in Kharkiv since Russia's full-scale invasion began. These attacks are part of a sustained pattern of strikes on Ukrainian cities, which have intensified in recent months.
These events underscore the continuation of active combat operations across Ukraine, particularly in urban centers facing regular bombardment. The deployment of newer technologies like FPV drones points to an evolution in Russian military tactics. The heightened aerial threat continues to endanger civilian safety, demanding reinforced defensive measures and preparedness for further assaults.