Massive Russian Missile and Drone Attack Kills 6 Overnight in Kyiv

Latest Developments

• Russia Unleashes Major Attack: Russia launched at least 430 drones and 19 missiles into Ukraine overnight on November 14, killing six people and injuring another 35, according to Ukrainian authorities. The barrage mainly targeted Kyiv, with some of the projectiles targeting sites in the surrounding Kyiv Oblast as well as the Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Cherkasy regions, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which said that 405 of the drones and 14 of the missiles were shot down or suppressed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that the attack was “specially calculated … to cause as much harm as possible to people and civilians.”
• Ukraine Hits Russian Oil Hub: Ukraine simultaneously carried out strikes against a major oil depot in the Russian city of Novorossiysk. The operation reportedly damaged oil tankers, pipeline infrastructure, and pumping stations, causing a “major” fire. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had launched domestically produced long-range Neptune cruise missiles at Russia, without specifying targets. The attack came a day after Ukraine said it used the domestically produced Flamingo missile as part of a series of long-range strikes in Russia and Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine on November 13.
• Russia To Use North Koreans To Produce Key Drones: Russia is preparing to hire some 12,000 North Korean workers to increase production of Shahed-style explosive drones at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, according to Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). According to HUR, Russian officials in October spoke with a North Korean company called Jihyang Technology Trade Company, which will supply the North Korean labor by the end of the year. The workers reportedly will earn $2.50 an hour and work 12-hour shifts.

FDD Expert Response

“Russia has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles in its recent barrages, supported by increased production. This makes it even more important for the United States, working with NATO allies, to provide Ukraine with adequate supplies of interceptor missiles for its Patriot systems. It’s also all the more reason why Washington should continue bolstering Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities to attack lawful Russian targets, thereby raising costs on the Kremlin and helping blunt Russia’s assault.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“This is another demonstration of Russia’s unrestricted, illegal air campaign against Ukraine. President Trump should hold Russia and Putin accountable for these strikes on civilians and public health and safety infrastructure targets. Heavy-handed implementation of sanctions on shadow fleet recipients of Russian fossil fuels and provision of offensive and defensive weapons to Ukraine are a good starting point.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology

“This is one more example of how Putin is not serious about peace and negotiating in good faith. Washington’s goal is to end the war, but Moscow’s ultimate goal is to subjugate Ukraine. The Trump administration should not count on Putin’s empty words, as his military actions speak far louder. It’s past time to turn up the heat on the Kremlin; the United States should provide all the weapons that Kyiv needs to put Moscow on the defensive.” — Ivana Stradner, Research Fellow

“This recent Russian attack not only lays bare the depravity of Moscow’s long-range strike campaign against Ukraine but also demonstrates the continued need for Washington and its NATO allies to provide Kyiv with sufficient air defense capability and capacity to defend itself. European purchases of U.S. weapons for Ukraine are a positive but insufficient step to continue providing Kyiv the means of self-defense and to secure American interests. These attacks should also serve as a stark reminder to Washington that Moscow is not interested in peace and that the Trump administration’s plans to reduce the U.S. military force posture in Eastern Europe signals weakness to the Kremlin at a time when Russia is violating NATO airspace and increasing its onslaught against Ukrainian civilians.” — Cameron McMillan, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

FDD Background and Analysis

“Ukraine Conducts Strikes on Russian Targets Using Domestically Produced Missiles and Drones,” FDD Flash Brief

“Ukrainian Power Outages Follow ‘Massive’ Russian Attack on Electric Grid,” FDD Flash Brief

“Russia deploys new, longer-range bombs in war against Ukraine,” by John Hardie

“Russia announces plan to muster reservists to combat Ukrainian drones,” by John Hardie