Explosions in Lutsk, blackout in Kolomyia, deaths in Rivne: What Russia's massive attack on Ukraine left behind
Residential buildings and energy infrastructure came under attack on May 13 (photo: facebook.com/DSNS.GOV.UA)
Russian troops on May 13 switched to tactics of a prolonged combined strike. After an overnight attack, a new large-scale combined wave is continuing, which, according to intelligence and the president's forecasts, may last throughout the day.
RBC-Ukraine explains what is currently known about the consequences.
Key points:
- Kyiv and region: debris fell in the Obolon district. House fire in the Vyshhorod district.
- Rivne region: strike on house and infrastructure, 2 dead, 4 injured, partial power outage.
- Lutsk: numerous explosions. Reports of strikes appear online.
- Odesa: hit on the roof of an apartment building, 200 windows damaged, 2 injured.
- Kherson region: strike on civilians in Komyshany (two seriously injured), traffic restricted in Kherson.
- Khmelnytskyi region: hits recorded, 3 hospitalized.
- Prykarpattia and Bukovyna: explosions in Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi; emergency power outages in Kolomyia.
- Zhytomyr region: explosions.
- Defense Intelligence forecast: drones are exhausting air defense before missile and ballistic strikes. The attack will be prolonged.
Chronology of the attack
Between 08:00 and 11:00, the enemy launched more than 100 drones simultaneously from the north, south, and east. Shaheds moved in chains, trying to overload air defense in central Ukraine. First strikes hit Zhytomyr and Khmelnytskyi.
At noon, an air raid alert covered the capital. Air defense operated over the Podil district, and debris fell in the Obolon district. At the same time, the main mass of drones began bypassing Belarus border and massively entering western regions. Explosions were heard in Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kolomyia.
Around 13:00-14:00, the geography of the attack became maximum. Explosions began in Rivne and Lutsk. Drones reached the Lviv region. At 14:00, the Lviv mayor reported dozens of drones in the skies over western Ukraine.
In the north and in Kyiv, all-clear alerts began, but the enemy's focus completely shifted to western regions. At the same time, new groups of drones entered the Odesa region from Black Sea, indicating the prolonged nature of the attack.
What is known about consequences
Kyiv
Air defense was operating. Drone debris fell in an open area in the Obolon district of the capital.
Preliminarily, no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, homes of residents in the Kyiv region came under attack.
An enemy attack caused fire in a private house in the Vyshhorod district (photo: t.me/Mykola_Kalashnyk)
There are no injuries among the civilian population.
Zhytomyr
Explosions were heard. The Air Force reported movement of drones toward the city.
Khmelnytskyi region
As a result of the attack, 3 injured people are known. They were hospitalized in moderate condition. Condition is stable.
Kherson region
At around 12:45, Russians attacked the village of Komyshany with a drone. A man and a woman were taken to the hospital in serious condition. Preliminary reports indicate mine-blast injuries. Medics are conducting examinations.
Due to the high activity of enemy drones in the Central district of Kherson, traffic on Pokrysheva Street was temporarily restricted.
Odesa and the region
Drone debris hit the roof of a 9-story residential building. Parked cars nearby caught fire.
At present, 2 injured people are known as a result of an enemy attack on Odesa. They were taken to a medical facility.
More than 200 windows were damaged in Odesa. Emergency response headquarters deployed (photo: t.me/odesaMVA)
More than 200 windows were damaged in Odesa. Emergency response headquarters deployed (photo: t.me/odesaMVA)
More than 200 windows were damaged in Odesa. Emergency response headquarters deployed (photo: t.me/odesaMVA)
More than 200 windows were damaged in Odesa. Emergency response headquarters deployed (photo: t.me/odesaMVA)
More than 200 windows were damaged in Odesa. Emergency response headquarters deployed (photo: t.me/odesaMVA)
More than 200 windows were damaged in Odesa. Emergency response headquarters deployed (photo: t.me/odesaMVA)
Lutsk and the region
A series of explosions hit the city of Lutsk. Reports of strikes are appearing online. Drones continue moving toward the city.
"Massive attack by enemy Shahed-type drones on the region is ongoing. I urge everyone to follow safety measures and stay in shelters. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones," Volyn Regional Military Administration reported.
Prykarpattia, Bukovyna
Head of Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration Svitlana Onyshchuk wrote about the attack on the region.
Explosions were heard in the region, particularly in the city of Kolomyia. The media reported power outages in the settlement. Later, Prykarpattiaoblenergo (regional electricity provider) reported emergency outages.
"Danger is still very high! Thanks to air defense for interceptions!" the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk briefly wrote on Telegram.
Meanwhile, explosions were also heard in Chernihiv. Air defense is operating against drones. Shaheds are still flying toward the region.
Rivne and the region
Explosions were heard. Electricity partially disappeared in the city during the attack.
Hits on civilian infrastructure were recorded, including residential buildings.
According to preliminary information, 2 people were killed, and 4 were injured.
The enemy continues attacking the region.
Attack will be prolonged, missiles ahead
Main Intelligence Directorate emphasizes that the strike has a prolonged nature.
The first wave of drones is aimed at exhausting air defense. At the next stage, Russia plans to use:
- Air- and sea-launched cruise missiles;
- Ballistic weapons.
Enemy's targets remain unchanged: energy facilities, defense industry enterprises, and government buildings. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned already in the morning that new waves of attacks are possible during the day, since a large number of enemy aerial targets have been recorded in the skies.
In addition, the enemy is using a new tactic for launching Shaheds, sending them in so-called chains along the Belarus border. Drones are flying in large groups, one after another, at a distance of 5-10 km from the border with Belarus.
The goal is to overload Ukrainian air defense systems as much as possible to ensure the breakthrough of drones deep into the country.
Before this, during the previous day and night of May 13, 14 regions came under drone attack. Russian forces struck residential and railway infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions, port infrastructure in Odesa region, and energy infrastructure in Poltava region.
During the night, air defense managed to shoot down and neutralize 111 out of 139 drones.
