The massive drone attack on May 13: what is known about the aftermath and casualties
13 May 22:27
Starting in the morning of May 13, 2026, Ukraine came under a massive attack by Russian drones. The drones arrived in large groups from various directions. Air defense systems were active in Kyiv and other cities in western and central Ukraine, all the way to Zakarpattia.
The Main Intelligence Directorate had warned of the massive attack, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What intelligence said
“On May 13, 2026, the aggressor state of Russia launched a combined air attack against Ukraine, which may be prolonged. In the first wave of the attack, the aggressor is deploying a significant number of strike drones to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense system and target civilian facilities,” the statement reads.
They added that Russia plans to subsequently deploy a significant number of air- and sea-launched cruise missiles, as well as ballistic missiles.
“Moscow’s targets are critical infrastructure and life-support facilities in major cities, including energy facilities, defense industry enterprises, and government buildings. In this way, Russia, which has rejected ceasefire proposals, seeks once again to undermine Ukraine’s resilience in the war for freedom,” the intelligence report added.
What the President Says
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over a hundred Russian drones were flying in the skies over Ukraine and warned of possible further attacks.
“It certainly cannot be called a coincidence that one of the longest sustained Russian attacks against Ukraine occurred precisely at the time when the President of the United States arrived on a visit to China—a visit from which many have high expectations. At this difficult geopolitical moment, Russia is clearly trying to spoil the general political atmosphere and draw attention to its evil—at the expense of Ukrainian lives and Ukrainian infrastructure,” the president wrote on Telegram.
Zelenskyy added that all day long, the Russians have been launching waves of “suicide drones” against regions of Ukraine, specifically targeting those closest to NATO borders.
There have already been strikes in Zakarpattia, Lviv, and Volyn, as well as in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rivne regions.
There have also been strikes in many of our other regions: Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, and Kherson.
“As of now, we know of dozens of wounded, including children. Unfortunately, six people have died. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Since the start of the day, there have been at least 800 Russian drones, and the attack continues; more drones are entering our country’s airspace,” the president added.
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Consequences of the Russian attack on Ukrainian cities
Around 11:00 a.m., Zhytomyr came under a massive drone attack. After the Air Force issued a warning about the threat, explosions were heard in the city.
Almost simultaneously, Russian drones attacked Smila. According to Ihor Taburets, head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, three men were injured—two are in critical condition, and another sustained moderate injuries.
Drones were also heading toward Khmelnytskyi. Explosions were heard in the city, and a fire broke out after a drone struck. Three people with moderate injuries were hospitalized.
At noon, an air raid alert was declared in Kyiv. In the capital, drone debris fell in an open area; there were no casualties.
Drones also attacked the Chernivtsi region. Air defense systems were active in the center of Chernivtsi. Later, the drones approached Ivano-Frankivsk and Kolomyia. Power outages occurred in some parts of the cities following the explosions.
Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv reported that a residential building had been hit. There were no fatalities, but at least three people were injured and hospitalized.
Around 1:00 p.m., explosions were heard in Rivne. The city lost power. In the region, three people were killed and four others were injured when a residential building was hit.
After 1:00 p.m., a Russian drone reached the Zakarpattia region. In Svalyava, near Mukachevo , a strike on an energy facility was recorded , followed by a massive fire.
Journalist Vitaliy Glagola stated that this was the most massive attack on Zakarpattia since the start of the full-scale war. According to him, the strikes hit the industrial district of Uzhhorod and critical infrastructure facilities.
In Lutsk , a strike on non-residential premises was recorded . In Kovel, a strike near a critical infrastructure facility damaged cars and a residential building. No reports of casualties have been received from the Volyn region .
Meanwhile, new groups of “suicide drones” from the Black Sea area headed toward the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.
In the Kyiv region , a house in the Vyshhorod area caught fire due to a drone attack.
Explosions were also heard in Zviahel.
In Kherson , a Russian drone attacked a shuttle bus. Nine people were injured. A 60-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man were hospitalized with blast injuries and shrapnel wounds.
Additionally, according to the State Emergency Service, Russian forces launched a second strike on a fire truck. Two rescue workers and a civilian were injured.
In Odesa, debris from a drone fell onto the roof of a nine-story building, and a fire broke out in one of the courtyards. Two men were injured.
Around 2:00 p.m., Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported dozens of Russian drones in the airspace over western Ukraine.
Closer to 5:00 p.m., a strike on a critical infrastructure facility was recorded in Zhovkva . This was reported by the city’s mayor, Oleg Volsky. After the strike, the city was left without power. Half an hour later, the Russians attacked the critical infrastructure facility again.
As of 6:00 p.m., air raid alerts had been lifted in most regions, but around 7:00 p.m., an alert was declared again across Ukraine due to the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K fighter jet—a carrier of “Kinzhal” hypersonic missiles. After 8:00 p.m., the alerts were lifted in the regions.
International Reaction
Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar condemned the strikes on Zakarpattia, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán summoned the Russian ambassador for an explanation.
“The Hungarian government strongly condemns the Russian attack on Transcarpathia,” the Hungarian publication Telex quotes Magyar as saying.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) predicts that Russia may use cruise and ballistic missiles. The attack could last until noon on May 14.
Defense Minister Advisor Serhiy “Flash” said that new missile launches could take place overnight.
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