On the evening of October 4 and into the early hours of October 5, Russian forces carried out another large-scale, coordinated strike across Ukrainian territory — this time with a significant concentration of attacks in the country’s western regions.

Reports described a sweeping operation involving land, air, and sea assets. Strategic bombers took off, naval missile carriers moved into position, and swarms of Geran attack drones were launched from multiple directions. According to Russian sources, unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed from 11 different airfields, while missile carriers armed with Kalibr cruise missiles were observed in the Black Sea.

At least seven Tu-95MS bombers, a single Tu-160, and four MiG-31K aircraft joined the assault. Ukrainian media suggested that Russia may have launched more than 700 drones in total. Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft reportedly reached launch zones around 3:00 a.m. Moscow time, with the first missiles striking after 6:00 a.m. The heaviest bombardment targeted western Ukraine, including strikes using both Kalibr and Kinzhal missiles.

Explosions were reported in Lviv, while air defense systems were active over Ivano-Frankovsk, Khmelnitsky, Chernigov, Odessa, and Zaporozhye. Zaporozhye itself was hit by more than ten Geran drones and several aerial bombs, leading to power and water outages in parts of the city. Missiles launched from Russian Navy vessels flew over the Kherson region before striking Lviv, which came under intense fire by 7:00 a.m.

Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed due to heavy smoke. Public transport services were suspended. Blasts were also recorded in Ivano-Frankovsk and Rovno, while the attacks extended into the Transcarpathian region. In the Vinnitsa region, a strike hit an industrial facility, and a major fire broke out in Chernigov following incoming strikes. Lviv, Zaporozhye, and Odessa emerged as the primary targets of the overnight offensive.

Ukrainian media also reported impacts near Buryshchany, home to the country’s largest thermal power plant, and in Stryi, where its largest gas storage facility is located.