Russia deploys thermobaric drones on Kharkiv for maximum damage, casualties

May 3, 2025 - 13:02

Aftermath of the Russian drone strike on Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv on 2 May.

Russian forces launched a massive drone and missile attack on multiple Ukrainian oblasts, causing the most extensive damage in the eastern city of Kharkiv.

Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Russia repeatedly targeted Ukrainian cities, hitting residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and critical energy facilities. The attacks typically result in deaths, injuries, and widespread destruction, aiming to disrupt daily life and undermine morale. At least 12,654 civilians have been killed and 29,392 injured in Ukraine since 24 February 2022, according to United Nations data as of early 2025.

According to the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Russian forces struck four districts of Ukraine’s second-largest city late on 2 May. The attack injured 51 civilians, including two girls aged 11 and 16 and damaged apartment buildings, a kindergarten, educational institutions, and 17 vehicles across four districts.

Further investigation established that the Russian army used 17 “Geran-2” type drones with thermobaric warheads, Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reports.

This weaponry creates a powerful blast wave and high-temperature cloud, causing extensive destruction and numerous casualties among the civilian population. Its use is particularly dangerous and may indicate deliberate violation of international humanitarian law norms.

Eight people are currently hospitalized in moderate condition. Emergency service workers continue cleanup operations despite the risk of repeated attacks.

Overnight, Russian forces struck Kharkiv with 17 thermobaric drones, which create powerful blast waves and high-temperature clouds designed to cause extensive destruction in populated areas.

The attack injured 51 civilians, including two young girls, and damaged homes, schools,… pic.twitter.com/c3u3ryLOlL— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) May 3, 2025

The assault on Kharkiv was part of a larger overnight offensive against Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s Air Force Command, Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 183 attack drones and decoy drones at Ukraine.

Ukrainian defense forces reportedly shot down 77 Shahed-type UAVs and other drones across eastern, northern, southern and central Ukraine.

The broader attack damaged infrastructure across Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts and a 47-year-old man was killed in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast.

Aftermath of the Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s second largest city of Kharkiv on 2 May. Photo: State emergency service of Ukraine and Kharkiv Oblast military administration

According to Mayor Terekhov, April 2025 saw a record 136 Russian strikes on the city, resulting in 230 injuries, including 19 children, and damage to 533 buildings.

“The tactic is the same — massive attacks. Drones are launched in groups, in several waves with minimal intervals, to strike unexpectedly and complicate the work of air defense forces,” Terekhov explained.

The May 2-3 attack represents a continuation of this pattern of intense aerial bombardment targeting civilian infrastructure in eastern Ukraine.

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