On Sunday morning, the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, usually seen as one of the safest in the country, endured one of its most intense and severe attacks since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion.
For five hours, Russian Shahed drones and missiles struck the city, located about 70 kilometers from the Polish border. Loud explosions could be heard in the center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Nationwide, at least five people were killed—four in the Lviv region and one in Zaporizhzhia—and 14 were injured. Among the victims was a 15-year-old girl who died along with three family members when their home was hit.
Poland’s air force reported scrambling jets and taking preventive measures to secure its airspace after a Russian decoy drone incursion last month. There were also multiple drone sightings last week in EU countries such as Germany and Denmark.
Lviv’s mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, said parts of the city lost power. He reported on Telegram that large fires erupted in several areas, including a civilian industrial park in the south.
As the city filled with the sharp smell of smoke, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi advised residents to close windows, stay indoors, or use gas masks or respirators.
By Sunday morning, ash was still falling on Lviv’s streets as weary residents ventured out and attended church services. The twisted remains of a Russian drone lay on a sidewalk outside an apartment block, cordoned off with red tape.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine faced another combined Russian assault involving over 50 missiles and around 500 attack drones, including cruise missiles, Iranian-designed Shaheds, and Kinzhal ballistic missiles.
Multiple regions were struck, including Ivano-Frankivsk in the west, as well as Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv. Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s allies to strengthen air defenses and impose a no-fly zone—something they have so far hesitated to do.
He wrote on social media, “A unilateral ceasefire in the skies is possible—and that could open the door to real diplomacy. America and Europe must act to stop Putin.”
In recent days, Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing power outages in several areas—a tactic it has repeated each winter for the past three years. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to strike oil production facilities deep inside Russia using its own long-range drones.
The attacks across the country left five people dead and 14 injured.
Lviv was hosting the annual Lviv BookForum, with writers and audiences gathered for one of Eastern Europe’s largest book festivals. Alongside Ukrainian writers like poets Artur Dron and Julia Musakovska, international speakers included British Forward Prize-winning poet Fiona Benson, as well as Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo and Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk, who joined by video link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the attack on Lviv designed to be clear and helpful for anyone seeking to understand the event
Basic Information about the Event
1 What happened in Lviv
A Russian military attack using drones and missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv resulting in the deaths of four people
2 When did this attack occur
3 Where exactly in Lviv was hit
Reports indicate that residential buildings and infrastructure in the city were damaged The exact neighborhoods would be specified by news reports from the day of the attack
4 Who were the victims
The four individuals who died were civilians Further details about their identities are often released by local authorities after their families have been notified
Understanding the Weapons and Tactics
5 What is the difference between a drone and a missile attack
A missile is a selfpropelled guided weapon A drone in this context often called a kamikaze drone or loitering munition is a small explosiveladen unmanned aircraft that flies to a target and detonates on impact
6 Why is Lviv being targeted Its far from the front lines
Lviv is a major logistical and humanitarian hub in western Ukraine Attacking it aims to disrupt supply routes damage infrastructure spread fear across the country and target areas where displaced people have sought safety
7 What kind of damage do these attacks cause
They can destroy or severely damage apartment buildings cause fires shatter windows over a wide area and damage critical infrastructure like power and water systems
Broader Context and Impact
8 How common are these types of attacks on Ukrainian cities
Unfortunately they are a regular and tragic feature of the war with Russian forces frequently targeting civilian areas far from the active battlefield
9 What is Ukraines air defense system and why didnt it stop this attack
Ukraine has air defense systems that shoot down many incoming threats However attackers often use a swarm tactic launching many drones and missiles at once to overwhelm defenses
