Kremlin Striking Civilian Targets in Ukraine

"[While Ukrainian air defences] neutralized [14 Russian missiles, the Kremlin was striking civilian targets in Ukraine]."

"Russia continues its terror against Ukrainian cities, specifically against civilian infrastructure -- and the key targets for Russia last night were residential areas in Kyiv and energy facilities."

"Since last night, our emergency services have been working at the sites of the Russian strikes. A wicked attack – as of now, we know of dozens of wounded, including children and a pregnant woman. Sadly, four people have been killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. About 430 drones and 18 missiles were used in the strike, including ballistic and aeroballistic missiles. This was a deliberately calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure." 

"In Kyiv alone, dozens of apartment buildings have been damaged. The Azerbaijani Embassy was hit by debris from an Iskander missile. The main target of the attack was Kyiv, and strikes also hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa regions."

"According to preliminary data, the Russians used a Zircon missile in the Sumy region this morning. Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko has already reported on the progress of rescue operations at the sites. I am grateful to everyone helping our people."

"Commander of the Air Force Anatolii Kryvonozhko also reported on the results of our air defense work. I thank our warriors for their effective actions."

"Ukraine is responding to these strikes with long-range strength, and the world must stop these attacks on life with sanctions. Russia is still able to sell oil and build its schemes. All of this must end. A great deal of work is underway with partners to strengthen our air defense, but it is not enough."

"We need reinforcement with additional systems and interceptor missiles. Europe and the United States can help. We are counting on real decisions. Thank you to everyone who helps."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 

Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Photo by Efrem Lukatsky /AP

 

Ukraine attacked territory in Russia with the use of long-range Neptune cruise missiles; an "entirely just" response to Russia's "ongoing terror", in the words of the Ukrainian president.  An attack was carried out by Ukrainian forces on a major Russian Black Sea port overnight, even as Moscow ramps up its strikes across Ukraine, focusing on power facilities across the country for the purpose of once again critically injuring the nation's energy infrastructure to make winter in Ukraine as miserably unbearable as possible for a people that has grown accustomed to these attacks on critical services.

 

The Russian Defence Ministry announced a "massive" strike by its forces with the use of drones and precision-guided weapons, Kinzhal missiles included, to target Ukraine's military-industrial complex along with its energy facilities. Russia has long since made away with its pretense of honouring international principles of warfare prohibiting attacks on civilian infrastructure.

 

Some 400 drones and 18 missiles -- some ballistic -- were launched in the strike. Ukraine responded with Patriot and similar defence systems courtesy of Ukraine's partners and supporting European nations enabling the Ukraine air defence to destroy 14 of those missiles, including ballistic types. Rescue operations are underway to find people who may be trapped under ruins in Kyiv, where dozens of apartment buildings were damaged. 

 

Municipal workers look at a residential building damaged after a Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Photo by Evgeniy Maloletka /AP

 

From refineries to crude pipelines and sea terminals, Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian oil infrastructure in recent months to attempt curtailing energy revenue Moscow relies upon to finance its invasion. As a result, reduced Russian crude-processing volumes have further impacted on fuel shortages in a few regions of the country, while increasing risks for Russia's seaborne oil-trade.

 

Rosneft PJSC's Novokuybyshevsk refinery in the Samara region, Bloomberg

 

Falling debris from shattered drones caused a fire at a Transneft PJSC's Sheshkharis oil terminal in the Russian port of Novorossiysk, east of the Crimean Peninsula. Over 50 units of firefighting equipment responded to the regional emergency at the site. A state of emergency was declared by Novorossiysk Mayor Andrey Kravchenko, where damage was also reported to three residential buildings.

 

Rosneft PJSC's Saratov refinery in the Volga region was struck as well on Friday, according to Ukraine's General Staff, representing the third attack this month on the facility. Russia's Black Sea oil-loading infrastructure had been struck previously by Ukraine forces in late September. 

 

Ukraine is responding as aggressively and competently to the savage attacks Moscow has launched on its civil infrastructure as any country could be capable of, against a larger, more fully equipped military, outmaneuvering Russia where it counts.  

 

Ukrainian Katran X1 surface drone designed to launch FPV and loitering munitions. (Source: Viacheslav Ratynskyi / The Times)