Russian drones kill 1, injure 9 in Sumy Oblast amid attack on civilian, critical infrastructure

A Russian drone attack struck the city of Sumy on July 13, Governor Oleh Gryhorov reported. The assault was part of a larger offensive targeting critical infrastructure across the region, with at least four communities confirmed as targets.

Part of Sumy, the capital city of the oblast that borders Russia in Ukraine's north, was left without power due to the Russian drone attack, according to local authorities. According to Gryhorov, one of the Russian drones had hit critical infrastructure in the city.

"Part of the city was temporarily left without electricity. A number of important institutions have been switched to backup power supply," a statement from Gryhorov said. Among other buildings, three hospitals were left without power, according to Artem Kobzar, acting mayor of the city.

Several casualties were reported in the region as a result of Russia's attacks. Among them, a 57-year-old man was killed and his brother injured when their vehicle was struck by a Russian drone while they were driving towards the community of Khotin. In a separate incident, a drone attack on a village of Bunyakyne in the Novoslobidsky district led to the hospitalization of a 63-year-old and a 71-year-old. The village is subject to mandatory evacuation, according to the governor.

Overall, nine individuals, including two medical personnel, sustained injuries on July 13.

Due to the oblast's proximity to the Russian border, Sumy Oblast and the city regularly come under Russian drone, missile, and artillery strikes that have become increasingly destructive in recent months.

Weeks ago, Ukrainian forces reportedly stabilized the situation in Sumy Oblast and pushed the Russian army further away from Sumy amid Russia's summer advance into the region, Ukraine's General Staff said on June 30.