Russia Escalates Attacks on Civilians Across Southern and Central Ukraine

On the evening of May 1, Russians launched a series of coordinated strikes on civilian targets across several Ukrainian regions, injuring dozens and damaging infrastructure in a continued campaign of terror far from the front lines.

In Zaporizhzhia, one of the hardest-hit areas, Russian drones and missiles struck residential buildings, a university, garages, and even a critical infrastructure facility. According to the National Police of Ukraine, 29 people were injured in the attack, including a 13-year-old boy. Victims suffered a range of injuries — from blast trauma to fractures and burns. As of May 2, 12 remain hospitalized. Emergency crews rescued three people from beneath rubble, and initial reports of a fatality were later corrected when the man was found alive.

One of the strikes targeted the Zaporizhzhya Electric Locomotive Repair Plant, a civilian enterprise. Though there were no casualties at the site, the attack marks another Russian attempt to cripple Ukraine’s railway infrastructure. Ukrzaliznytsia condemned the strike, noting it follows earlier attacks on other non-military rail facilities, including Kyiv’s Darnytsia Wagon Repair Plant.

In the Mykolaiv region, Russian FPV drones struck the city of Ochakiv on the morning of May 2. No injuries were reported, though local officials confirmed the attack damaged property.

In Dnipropetrovsk region, Russians used drones to strike the Slavyansk community, injuring two men and setting two businesses ablaze. Six drones were intercepted. Additional shelling and FPV drone attacks hit Nikopol district, including the Pokrovska and Chervonohryhorivka communities. No casualties were reported there.

These latest strikes underscore Russia’s ongoing strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, seeking to instill fear and disrupt daily life away from active combat zones.