"Nothing like this before": Russia launches massive jet-powered "Shahed" attack on regional capital

Zaporizhzhia in flames. In broad daylight, Russia attacked the regional capital with jet-powered "Shaheds". A series of powerful explosions rang out in three districts of the city. Currently, seven wounded are reported, including an eight-year-old child. The Katzen House—an architectural landmark of local significance—was damaged. Another drone hit the roof of a neighboring high-rise.

TSN correspondent Daria Nazarova worked at the scene.

"The house seemed to crumble": Strike on a high-rise

An enemy drone flew straight into a residential high-rise in broad daylight. The upper floors were instantly engulfed in flames. Olena, a resident of one of the destroyed apartments, still cannot recover from the experience.

Olena Adielieva, victim: "It seemed to me that the house crumbled. I grabbed the child; he was sleeping. I ran to the hall, started calling my husband, but he is in another city. Then they started banging on the door. I’m shaking all over. I brought the child out in pajamas, myself in a nightgown. I took nothing but a phone."

The work of rescuers was constantly interrupted by repeated threats. TSN journalists together with the State Emergency Service were forced to hide in shelters several times, as new drones continued to circle over the city.

Rescue of a child with a disability and a fire in the private sector

On a neighboring street, a "Shahed" hit the roof of a private house. Half of the dwelling is completely destroyed. Larysa was on the street at the moment of the strike, while her bedridden child remained inside.

Larysa Volodymyrivna, victim: "Drones were flying, I stuck to the wall. I saw something burning in our block, a pillar of smoke. I ran home—I am wall-to-wall with the neighbors, my roof is now in question. I have a bedridden child. We immediately jumped out, pulled her into a wheelchair..."

Loss of cultural heritage

This attack became fatal for the Grigory Katzen house. This is one of the city's few pre-revolutionary buildings that preserved its original architecture. Now, the architectural landmark of local significance has essentially been turned into a scorched site.

City residents note that there has never been explosions of such power in residential areas. Near the impact sites are only civilian objects: a university, a children’s hospital, and dense residential buildings. Currently, communal services and volunteers are helping people board up windows, while medics fight for the health of the seven wounded.