Russian drone strikes prenatal clinic in Ukrainian city of Sumy as part of nationwide attack

On the night of Oct. 5-6, Russian forces launched 116 drones across Ukrainian territory. “The enemy attacked with 116 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, and other types,” Ukraine’s Air Force said on Telegram. These included a targeted strike on a medical facility in the city of Sumy, according to a report by Oleh Hryhorov, head of the regional military administration.

“The enemy deliberately struck a medical facility building in the Kovpakivskyi District of Sumy with a drone,” Hryhorov wrote at 12:08 p.m. local time. According to the official, 166 people were inside the facility at the time of the attack, including 11 children.

Just a minute later, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, confirmed the information on Telegram, clarifying that the strike hit a maternity building:

“Sumy. As a result of the Russian strike, the roof of the perinatal center caught fire. At the time of the attack, there were 11 children, 35 patients, and 120 staff members inside. Everyone managed to take shelter. The shelling continues,” Yermak wrote.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service released footage of rescue workers and firefighters extinguishing the blaze on the roof of the building and confirmed that there were no casualties.

Hryhorov later published a video of the strike.

“A 60-year-old medical worker was given assistance on site for a stress reaction to the explosion. Fortunately, no one was injured,” the official wrote.

Overnight on Oct. 6, drone attacks were also recorded in other regions of Ukraine. In Chernihiv, an energy facility was damaged. As local energy company Chernihivoblenergo announced via Telegram: “Unfortunately, there was another hit on an energy facility. Energy workers have already begun restoration, but it will be carried out with consideration of the security situation.”

In Kharkiv, two people were killed and five were injured as the city and its surrounding areas were subjected to Russian strikes, said Oleh Syniehubov, head of the local regional administration.

Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, reported a drone attack on the region involving Shahed UAVs. “Despite active air defense efforts, a hit was recorded on the territory of a civilian industrial facility. A fire broke out on site, which was promptly extinguished by the State Emergency Service workers,” Kiper wrote on Telegram. “There were no casualties or destruction,” he added.

According to the Air Force, the drones were launched from the Russian regions of Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from Hvardiiske in occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down 83 drones over the north, south, east, and center of the country, the statement said. “Thirty strike UAV impacts were recorded in seven locations. The attack continues, with several enemy drones still in Ukrainian airspace,” the Air Force reported.