Russia's record missile blitz pounds Ukraine in October, surpassing 2023 levels
Illustrative photo: Russians used 270 missiles in attacks (Russian media)
Russian forces set a new record for missile strikes on Ukraine in October 2025. They launched a total of 270 missiles, 46% more than in September. This is the highest monthly total since 2023, AFP reports.
AFP analyzed Ukrainian data on intercepted Russian attacks. According to calculations, Russian forces fired 270 missiles of all types in October, marking the largest monthly total since 2023, when Ukraine first began publishing data on launched and intercepted missiles.
Overall, the 270 missiles represent a 46% increase from the previous month. During the same period, Russia launched 5,298 long-range drones at Ukraine, 6% fewer than in September.
Unconcealed terrorism and Ukraine's response
In October, Russian attacks mainly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Russian forces have carried out attacks on energy facilities for the fourth consecutive winter. Ukraine again implemented temporary power outages.
Kyiv describes Russia's tactics as terrorism aimed at exhausting the civilian population. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian regime is trying to sow chaos by striking energy infrastructure.
"Russia's task is to create chaos and apply psychological pressure on the population through strikes on energy facilities and railways," he said during a briefing.
This year, Ukraine has the ability to respond effectively. Defense Forces' strikes are aimed at Russian oil depots and refineries. These attacks have triggered a gasoline crisis in Russia and deprived the Kremlin of part of the oil revenues it needs to finance the war.
Massive Russian strike on Ukraine
On the night of October 30, Russian forces launched another massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and western regions.
The enemy mainly targeted energy infrastructure. Russians attacked thermal power plants across several regions, causing serious damage to equipment.
Explosions occurred in the city of Ladyzhyn in the Vinnytsia region, home to one of Ukraine's largest thermal power plants, Ladyzhyn TPP. In Burshtyn, where another thermal power plant is located, explosions continued for nearly three hours.
In the morning of October 30, explosions were also heard in Dobrotvir in the Lviv region, where the Dobrotvir TPP is located.
