Kyiv: In one of the deadliest aerial strikes in recent months, Russian forces unleashed a massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian town of Lozova, located in the eastern Kharkiv region. The assault, which occurred overnight, involved more than 25 drones and resulted in widespread destruction, at least one civilian death, and injuries to ten others including two children.
The attack targeted critical infrastructure, including the Lozova railway station, where one employee lost their life. The state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, confirmed the severe damage to the station and surrounding railway infrastructure. In addition to the train station, several residential buildings were also struck, leaving parts of the town without electricity and water.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the strike as a direct assault on civilians. “Russian terrorists once again targeted peaceful infrastructure,” Zelenskiy said in a statement. He emphasized that drone attacks like this one are becoming more common, especially in regions close to the Russian border.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched a total of 46 drones across several regions, of which 29 were intercepted. However, 17 drones and at least one ballistic missile successfully hit their intended targets, primarily in the northeast. The Kharkiv regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed that this was the most extensive drone assault on Lozova since the beginning of the full-scale war.
Images and videos shared by emergency services and local residents show the devastating aftermath: twisted railway tracks, shattered train carriages, crumbling buildings, and debris scattered across the streets. Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue those trapped and to restore basic utilities in the affected zones.
The attack has reignited global concern over Russia’s intensifying use of drones and guided weapons in populated areas. Experts warn that such tactics not only cause civilian casualties but also threaten critical infrastructure that sustains everyday life in Ukraine. This strike follows several similar incidents in Kharkiv city in recent weeks, including an earlier one that injured nine children.
Lozova, a key transport and logistics hub in eastern Ukraine, has long been viewed as a strategic target. The scale of the damage indicates Russia's continuing efforts to cripple Ukraine’s railway network, which is crucial for both civilian evacuations and military logistics.
As Ukraine's defenses continue to be tested, the government has renewed its call for enhanced Western support, particularly in bolstering air defense systems. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to aid the displaced and provide psychological support to children traumatized by the latest wave of violence.
The war, now deep into its third year, shows no signs of abating, and for the people of Lozova, the night of August 5 will remain etched in memory as yet another chapter of unprovoked devastation.