Russia Launched 115 Missiles, 3,000 Drones in Past Week, Zelensky Says

Russia carried out sustained combined attacks across Ukraine during the described week. They included missiles of several types, nearly 1,900 guided aerial bombs, and more than 3,000 strike drones. Zelensky said many attacks involved heavy use of ballistic missiles.

The attacks reached cities, communities, and critical infrastructure. A Saturday assault sent 36 ballistic missiles toward Kyiv and the capital region, alongside 172 strike drones. Russia also struck Odesa, Kremenchuk, and the frontline settlement of Komyshuvakha in Zaporizhzhia region.

The effects spread beyond immediate blast sites. Strikes damaged electricity facilities, district heating systems, a bridge, and industrial and municipal buildings. Ukraine is seeking stronger sanctions and action against the production networks supplying Russian missiles, while emergency crews continue repairs and debris-clearing operations.

The reported weekly total was 115 missiles of various types, nearly 1,900 guided aerial bombs, and more than 3,000 strike drones. Zelensky presented these figures as attacks against Ukrainian cities and communities during a single week.

The numbers show the layered nature of the campaign. Missiles provided long-range strikes, guided bombs hit targets from aircraft, and drones were used in very large numbers. One separate overnight assault involved 36 ballistic missiles and 172 strike drones aimed at Kyiv and the capital province.

The volume also created broad pressure on civilian systems. Strikes damaged electrical substations, district heating networks, a bridge, industrial sites, and municipal infrastructure. Zelensky said a significant portion of the missiles had been produced during the current year, increasing concern about Russia’s continuing ability to replenish its stockpiles.

Ballistic missiles are launched at high speed and travel through a steep, arcing trajectory, often reaching their targets rapidly. Guided aerial bombs are released from aircraft and use guidance systems to steer toward selected targets. Strike drones are unmanned aircraft that carry explosives or other weapons and can be controlled remotely or operate with automated guidance.

The key differences are launch method, speed, flight path, and control. A ballistic missile may give defenders little warning because it moves quickly and can approach from above. A guided bomb depends on an aircraft for release. A strike drone is generally slower but can be launched in large numbers and directed toward a target.

The article describes Russia using all three categories in combined attacks. It reports 115 missiles, nearly 1,900 guided bombs, and over 3,000 strike drones in one week, including ballistic missiles and an FPV drone strike.

The attacks caused deaths, injuries, fires, structural damage, and prolonged disruption to essential services. A Nov. 2 bombardment killed 55 civilians, while later strikes killed one person in Odesa and wounded four people in Kremenchuk and nine civilians in the capital area.

Energy damage was especially extensive. Strikes on electrical facilities in Dnipropetrovsk region left more than 600,000 consumers without electricity across Dnipro and nearby districts. Kharkiv region faced widespread rolling blackouts. In Zhytomyr region, damaged heating networks cut central heating to 140 multi-story apartment buildings before winter.

Other damage included broken windows in Odesa homes, fires at an industrial site and a non-residential building, and damage to the North Bridge across the Dnipro River. Search-and-rescue teams also cleared ruins in Komyshuvakha for a seventh day, with possible victims still buried.

Ballistic missiles are difficult to defend against because they move at very high speed and can cover long distances on steep trajectories. Their approach may leave defenders only a short time to identify the threat, calculate its path, and launch a response. Some can also maneuver, making interception more demanding.

Anti-ballistic interceptors are defensive missiles built to engage incoming ballistic missiles. Radar and other sensors track the threat, then a defensive interceptor attempts to collide with or destroy it in flight. This differs from defenses designed mainly for slower drones or aircraft, which may require different detection and interception methods.

The article does not explain the technical design of ballistic missiles or interceptors, but Zelensky highlights the shortage of anti-ballistic protection for Ukrainian skies. He says that, when interceptors are insufficient, partners should target the industrial supply chains producing Russian missiles.

Missile production depends on industrial equipment and specialized components, not only on final assembly plants. Sanctions and export controls can restrict access to machine tools, chemicals, microelectronics, and electronic chips needed to manufacture and guide weapons.

The article says Ukraine shares intelligence on Russian defense enterprises, component suppliers, and intermediaries. It also identifies Western-origin components in recovered Russian missiles. Coordinated controls could target both direct suppliers and companies helping goods pass through intermediary countries. Secondary sanctions could penalize outside firms that continue supporting restricted Russian networks.

Ukraine wants its national sanctions to be replicated across EU and G7 jurisdictions. Zelensky is counting on a strong 22nd EU sanctions package. The intended result is to disrupt production at the industrial source, especially if allied countries cannot provide enough anti-ballistic interceptors for Ukrainian air defense.

Electrical substations and heating networks are shared links in systems serving many homes and institutions. Substations connect power plants and transmission lines to regional distribution networks. Heating networks carry warmth from central facilities to apartment buildings. Damage at one important point can interrupt service across connected districts.

The article gives concrete examples. Strikes on electrical facilities in Dnipropetrovsk region left more than 600,000 consumers without electricity across Dnipro and surrounding districts. Damage to heating infrastructure in Zhytomyr region cut central heating to 140 multi-story apartment buildings. The attacks also damaged substations connecting the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants to central Ukraine.

These failures affect more than household comfort. Power disruptions can hinder businesses, communications, water systems, transport, and emergency work, while heating outages become especially dangerous before winter. The article reports rolling blackouts in Kharkiv and ongoing emergency repairs in affected municipalities.