Russian strikes kill two in Ukraine's Poltava and Zaporizhzhia, trigger emergency blackouts in Vinnytsia
Photo source: Mykhailo Semikin, Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration/Telegram
Russian forces massively attacked Ukraine's eastern, southeastern, and central regions on the evening of October 17 and overnight into October 18.
Two women were killed in the attacks on Poltava and Zaporizhzhia, and several people were injured in Poltava. Emergency power cuts were introduced in the Vinnytsia region following a strike on critical infrastructure.
Rubryka reports the attacks, citing Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration head Natalia Zabolotna, Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration head Mykhailo Semikin, and Poltava Regional Military Administration head Vitalii Diakivnych.
Poltava
On the evening of October 17, Russian forces attacked Poltava, an eastern Ukrainian city, with strike drones. The first explosions sounded around 9:30 p.m. Diakivnych urged residents to remain in shelters until the air raid alert ended.
About half an hour later, reports emerged that a Russian drone had struck a residential area. At 10:18 p.m., the head of the regional administration reported one casualty.
"One person has been confirmed dead so far. My condolences to their family and loved ones," Diakivnych stated.
Two other civilians were injured. At that point, four private homes had been reported damaged.
"Emergency response efforts are ongoing. The information is being updated," the regional administration head said.
Later, Diakivnych reported that the number of injured had risen to four. They were receiving medical care.
A drone also crashed in the Tereshky community. "Five private homes were damaged. No casualties have been reported so far," Diakivnych added.
Zaporizhzhia
Overnight into October 18, Russian forces struck a high-rise residential building in Zaporizhzhia, a frontline city in southeastern Ukraine.
"Sadly, a 27-year-old woman was killed in the Russian attack. My sincere condolences to her family and loved ones," Semikin said.
He later reported that two more people had been injured: a 58-year-old woman and a six-year-old girl.
Photo source: Mykhailo Semikin, Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration/Telegram
The attack also damaged two apartment buildings, 18 cars, and an educational facility.
"Municipal workers are at the strike sites, clearing debris and helping people," the regional administration head said.
Photo credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Telegram
Zaporizhzhia has been hit by other attacks on residential areas. On October 10, a Russian strike destroyed a residential building in the city. Twenty people were killed, including four children.
Vinnytsia region
A Russian air attack on October 18 damaged critical infrastructure in Ukraine's central Vinnytsia region, prompting emergency power cuts.
Regional authorities warned that electricity supplies would remain unstable.
Zabolotna said critical infrastructure facilities were being switched to backup power. Energy workers were working to restore electricity.
The regional administration did not say how many consumers had lost power or when electricity would be restored. Residents were urged not to switch on all their electrical appliances at once, to avoid overloading the grid.
"Using electricity responsibly is our way of helping energy workers," Zabolotna said.
