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A week of shelling, destruction and testing: the aftermath of Russian attacks on Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Kherson

9.11.2024
2
min read

During the week of November 4-9, 2024, Russian troops intensified their attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities far from the frontline. Kharkiv, Odesa, Kyiv, and other settlements where hundreds of thousands and even millions of people live every day were targeted by drones and missiles. These strikes have left behind not only destruction but also deep psychological and physical wounds, forcing Ukrainians to remember every day that even in the home front, security remains conditional.

KYIV.

On the night of November 7, 2024, Kyiv experienced another drone attack, which became a serious test for the city and its residents. The air alert lasted for eight hours, during which air defense forces shot down more than thirty enemy drones. However, the wreckage of the downed targets fell in the Pechersk, Solomyansky, Obolonsky, and Darnytsky districts, causing destruction and fires.

The aftermath of a Russian UAV attack on Kyiv on November 7, 2024.  Photo by Serhiy Nuzhnenko

In Holosiivskyi district, the shock wave smashed windows in a residential building, and fires broke out at the sites of the falling debris, which were quickly extinguished. One of the fragments damaged a medical facility and a high-rise building. A fire broke out there and the residents were evacuated. Two civilians were injured.

“A day when no one died” is how Serhiy Nuzhnenko, a photojournalist for Radio Liberty who documented the aftermath of the nighttime shelling, describes the events of November 7. “I open the gate to the courtyard of a private house, which was torn by the blast wave, and a woman is cleaning up broken glass outside. “Can I come in and take pictures?” I ask. “Yes, your TV colleagues were here, they didn't even ask permission,“ she replies, continuing to pick up the pieces.” This is how Nuzhnenko describes the moments he observed in this new test for the capital.

The aftermath of a Russian UAV attack on Kyiv on November 7, 2024.  Photo by Serhiy Nuzhnenko

His clothes absorbed the smell of smoke from the morning fire in the warehouses, where firefighters, journalists and bystanders shared hot tea and coffee next to the destroyed coffee shop.

ODESA

On the night of November 7, 2024, Odesa was once again targeted by Russian drones, which caused new destruction in the city. The strike smashed 14 cars, damaged the facade and windows of an 11-story residential building and a gas pipeline, but fortunately, there was no fire. The blast wave also shattered windows in two neighboring five-story buildings.

The aftermath of a drone attack in Odesa on November 7, 2024. Photo by Oleksandr Hymanov

The aftermath of a drone attack in Odesa on November 7, 2024. Photo by Tymofii Melnykov

The head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleh Kiper, said that a 30-year-old man sustained light injuries as a result of the attack and was treated on the spot.

The aftermath of a drone attack in Odesa on November 9, 2024. Photo by Tymofii Melnykov

This week brought another attack to Odesa: on the night of November 9, Russian drones struck the city again, killing one person and leaving 13 others wounded, including two children. Dozens of cars were burned and a large-scale fire broke out in a warehouse, and residential buildings were heavily damaged. Among the victims were two boys aged 4 and 16.

KHARKIV

The aftermath of the Russian shelling of Kharkiv on November 8, 2024. Photo by Yevhen Gertner for Suspilne Kharkiv

On the night of November 8, 2024, when the clock read about 3:30 a.m., Kharkiv shuddered from another Russian air strike. Guided bombs fell on the Saltovsky district, hitting a 12-story building and leaving behind human pain and destruction. The strikes hit 25 civilians, five of whom were injured and taken to hospitals. Those who were evacuated from the danger zone also found safety: 30 people, including four children, were rescued from the rubble, which still smelled of smoke and dust.

The aftermath of the Russian shelling of Kharkiv on November 8, 2024. Photo by Ivan Samoilov for Gvara Media

The blast waves also hit neighboring buildings, damaging homes, parked cars, and subway entrances. The city center was not left untouched either, with historic buildings, public spaces, and residential neighborhoods being destroyed. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the residents of the city center this time. Photographers Ivan Samoilov and Yevhen Gertner remain in the city and continue to document almost every “arrival”.

KHERSON

On November 8, 2024, Russians shelled the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson with artillery. Around 15:30, a blast wave swept through the city and hit passersby who were trying to live their normal lives. Among them was a 56-year-old man who was wounded in the shelling. He was hospitalized.

Consequences of the Russian artillery shelling of Kherson on November 8, 2024. Photo by Ivan Antypenko

In a city where residents are accustomed to constant danger, the wreckage now includes residential buildings, broken power grids, and destroyed bus stops. This evidence of a crime against civilians was captured by photojournalist Ivan Antipenko, who published photos of the shelled area near the bus station. Law enforcement officials opened criminal proceedings, recognizing each such shelling as evidence of a violation of human and international law.

This week has once again reminded Ukraine that peace is the highest value, but it comes at a high price. In his address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the country needs the support of the world, including in air defense systems, to counter such attacks. “We continue negotiations with our partners,” he said, addressing Ukrainians and the international community.

The material was prepared by:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Vera Labich
Editor-in-chief: Viacheslav Ratynskyi
Literary editor: Yulia Futey
Website manager: Vladyslav Kukhar

During the week of November 4-9, 2024, Russian troops intensified their attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities far from the frontline. Kharkiv, Odesa, Kyiv, and other settlements where hundreds of thousands and even millions of people live every day were targeted by drones and missiles. These strikes have left behind not only destruction but also deep psychological and physical wounds, forcing Ukrainians to remember every day that even in the home front, security remains conditional.

KYIV.

On the night of November 7, 2024, Kyiv experienced another drone attack, which became a serious test for the city and its residents. The air alert lasted for eight hours, during which air defense forces shot down more than thirty enemy drones. However, the wreckage of the downed targets fell in the Pechersk, Solomyansky, Obolonsky, and Darnytsky districts, causing destruction and fires.

The aftermath of a Russian UAV attack on Kyiv on November 7, 2024.  Photo by Serhiy Nuzhnenko

In Holosiivskyi district, the shock wave smashed windows in a residential building, and fires broke out at the sites of the falling debris, which were quickly extinguished. One of the fragments damaged a medical facility and a high-rise building. A fire broke out there and the residents were evacuated. Two civilians were injured.

“A day when no one died” is how Serhiy Nuzhnenko, a photojournalist for Radio Liberty who documented the aftermath of the nighttime shelling, describes the events of November 7. “I open the gate to the courtyard of a private house, which was torn by the blast wave, and a woman is cleaning up broken glass outside. “Can I come in and take pictures?” I ask. “Yes, your TV colleagues were here, they didn't even ask permission,“ she replies, continuing to pick up the pieces.” This is how Nuzhnenko describes the moments he observed in this new test for the capital.

The aftermath of a Russian UAV attack on Kyiv on November 7, 2024.  Photo by Serhiy Nuzhnenko

His clothes absorbed the smell of smoke from the morning fire in the warehouses, where firefighters, journalists and bystanders shared hot tea and coffee next to the destroyed coffee shop.

ODESA

On the night of November 7, 2024, Odesa was once again targeted by Russian drones, which caused new destruction in the city. The strike smashed 14 cars, damaged the facade and windows of an 11-story residential building and a gas pipeline, but fortunately, there was no fire. The blast wave also shattered windows in two neighboring five-story buildings.

The aftermath of a drone attack in Odesa on November 7, 2024. Photo by Oleksandr Hymanov

The aftermath of a drone attack in Odesa on November 7, 2024. Photo by Tymofii Melnykov

The head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleh Kiper, said that a 30-year-old man sustained light injuries as a result of the attack and was treated on the spot.

The aftermath of a drone attack in Odesa on November 9, 2024. Photo by Tymofii Melnykov

This week brought another attack to Odesa: on the night of November 9, Russian drones struck the city again, killing one person and leaving 13 others wounded, including two children. Dozens of cars were burned and a large-scale fire broke out in a warehouse, and residential buildings were heavily damaged. Among the victims were two boys aged 4 and 16.

KHARKIV

The aftermath of the Russian shelling of Kharkiv on November 8, 2024. Photo by Yevhen Gertner for Suspilne Kharkiv

On the night of November 8, 2024, when the clock read about 3:30 a.m., Kharkiv shuddered from another Russian air strike. Guided bombs fell on the Saltovsky district, hitting a 12-story building and leaving behind human pain and destruction. The strikes hit 25 civilians, five of whom were injured and taken to hospitals. Those who were evacuated from the danger zone also found safety: 30 people, including four children, were rescued from the rubble, which still smelled of smoke and dust.

The aftermath of the Russian shelling of Kharkiv on November 8, 2024. Photo by Ivan Samoilov for Gvara Media

The blast waves also hit neighboring buildings, damaging homes, parked cars, and subway entrances. The city center was not left untouched either, with historic buildings, public spaces, and residential neighborhoods being destroyed. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the residents of the city center this time. Photographers Ivan Samoilov and Yevhen Gertner remain in the city and continue to document almost every “arrival”.

KHERSON

On November 8, 2024, Russians shelled the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson with artillery. Around 15:30, a blast wave swept through the city and hit passersby who were trying to live their normal lives. Among them was a 56-year-old man who was wounded in the shelling. He was hospitalized.

Consequences of the Russian artillery shelling of Kherson on November 8, 2024. Photo by Ivan Antypenko

In a city where residents are accustomed to constant danger, the wreckage now includes residential buildings, broken power grids, and destroyed bus stops. This evidence of a crime against civilians was captured by photojournalist Ivan Antipenko, who published photos of the shelled area near the bus station. Law enforcement officials opened criminal proceedings, recognizing each such shelling as evidence of a violation of human and international law.

This week has once again reminded Ukraine that peace is the highest value, but it comes at a high price. In his address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the country needs the support of the world, including in air defense systems, to counter such attacks. “We continue negotiations with our partners,” he said, addressing Ukrainians and the international community.

The material was prepared by:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Vera Labich
Editor-in-chief: Viacheslav Ratynskyi
Literary editor: Yulia Futey
Website manager: Vladyslav Kukhar

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