Russian attacks with Iskander missiles and drones kill 14, injure 37 in Ukraine’s Dobropillia

In the early hours of Saturday, March 8, Ukraine faced a devastating barrage of Russian attacks that left death and destruction in their wake. At least 14 people were killed and 37 others injured in bombings that struck Dobropillia in the Donetsk region and the Kharkiv region in the northeast. Russian forces deployed Iskander ballistic missiles, multiple rocket launchers, and an unprecedented number of drones, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure. Buildings were reduced to rubble, cars were set ablaze, and emergency crews worked under harrowing conditions to rescue survivors from the debris. Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that among the 11 fatalities in Dobropillia were five children, underscoring the profound toll on civilians caught in the crossfire.

The assaults unfolded across two fronts, with Dobropillia bearing the brunt of the violence. Located just 22 kilometers from the frontline near the strategic hub of Pokrovsk, the city was hit by a coordinated offensive. Ukraine’s military reported that Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and a staggering 145 drones overnight. Air defenses managed to shoot down one cruise missile and 79 drones, while 54 others failed to reach their targets, yet the damage was extensive. Multi-story residential buildings collapsed, 30 vehicles were destroyed, and streets turned into scenes of war as the city of roughly 28,000 pre-war residents reeled from the attack.

Ataques russos matam pelo menos 14 pessoas e ferem 37 na Ucrânia https://t.co/hqRndAxpMz

— VEJA (@VEJA) March 8, 2025

Meanwhile, the Kharkiv region suffered a separate drone strike that claimed three lives and injured seven others. The overnight violence marks a sharp escalation in Russian tactics, focusing on densely populated areas and critical infrastructure. As firefighters battled blazes in Dobropillia, a second strike hit the area, damaging a fire truck and complicating rescue efforts. Photographs released show buildings engulfed in smoke and emergency workers clearing wreckage, offering a stark visual of the crisis’s severity.

Violence surges across Ukraine’s east

Dobropillia devastated: bombardment tests air defenses

Dobropillia, nestled in the Donetsk region, became the focal point of Russia’s latest offensive. During the night, Iskander-M ballistic missiles tore through the sky, joined by an Iskander-K cruise missile and a swarm of 145 drones, challenging Ukraine’s air defense systems. The Ministry of Internal Affairs detailed that eight multi-story buildings sustained severe damage, while 30 cars were reduced to charred husks. The initial strike killed 11 people, including five children, and injured 30, with casualty numbers rising as the day progressed. Rescue teams faced immense difficulties after a follow-up attack damaged a fire truck, hampering efforts to extinguish fires and assist the wounded.

Positioned just 22 kilometers north of Pokrovsk, Dobropillia sits in a precarious spot. Pokrovsk, a vital logistical center, has been under relentless Russian pressure for weeks, suggesting that the strikes on Dobropillia are part of a broader campaign to destabilize the Donetsk region. Ukraine’s military highlighted the intensity of the assault, noting that air defenses downed 79 drones and one cruise missile, but the sheer volume of weaponry overwhelmed protective systems. The 54 drones that missed their marks hint at potential malfunctions or countermeasures, yet successful hits inflicted widespread devastation.

Kharkiv under fire: drones extend the destruction

In Ukraine’s northeast, the Kharkiv region endured a separate drone assault during the same night. Three civilians lost their lives, and seven others were injured in an attack that, while smaller in scale than Dobropillia’s, intensified the strain on the region. Kharkiv, heavily scarred by years of conflict, faced yet another test of resilience. Drones, a staple of Russian operations, offer a low-cost yet potent means of striking both civilian and military targets, broadening the reach of destruction beyond the frontline. Victims suffered injuries from shrapnel and debris, as local emergency teams rushed to provide aid amid the chaos.

Timeline of the attacks and Ukraine’s response

A night of terror: what unfolded on March 8

The sequence of events in the early hours of March 8 reveals the precision of Russian planning. Around midnight, two Iskander-M missiles were launched, followed by an Iskander-K cruise missile and a massive wave of 145 drones. The assault on Dobropillia began with explosions that jolted residents awake, demolishing homes and igniting vehicles. As firefighters tackled the flames, a second strike targeted the area, damaging critical rescue equipment. In Kharkiv, drones arrived in successive waves, hitting civilian sites. Ukraine’s air defenses sprang into action, neutralizing 79 drones and one missile, but the scale of the attack left lasting damage.

Here’s a breakdown of the night’s key moments:

• Midnight onset: Iskander-M and Iskander-K missiles target Dobropillia.
• Drone barrage: 145 drones swarm Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.
• Air defense response: 79 drones and one cruise missile shot down.
• Secondary strike: Russian forces hit Dobropillia again, damaging a fire truck.

Ukraine’s military remains vigilant, while local authorities focus on relocating survivors and assessing the full extent of the destruction.

Casualties and damage: the human and material toll

The statistics are grim: 14 dead, including 11 in Dobropillia and three in Kharkiv, alongside 37 injured. In Dobropillia, the loss of five children among the victims highlights the brutality of strikes on residential zones. Eight multi-story buildings were damaged, some entirely leveled, and 30 cars burned in the ensuing fires. The secondary attack, targeting responders, exemplifies Russia’s strategy of amplifying disruption. In Kharkiv, the drones caused less widespread destruction but deepened the region’s humanitarian crisis.

Impacts and the ongoing war’s context

Dobropillia and Pokrovsk: strategic targets in the east

Situated 22 kilometers from Pokrovsk, Dobropillia is more than a random casualty—it’s a likely piece in a strategic puzzle. Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub, has faced sustained Russian assaults, with gradual advances threatening to sever Ukrainian supply lines. The devastation in Dobropillia may aim to weaken the rear guard in the Donetsk region, a focal point of the conflict since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Once home to about 28,000 people, Dobropillia has seen its population dwindle as residents fled the encroaching frontline, leaving those who remain exposed to relentless attacks.

The ferocity of the bombardment, featuring ballistic missiles and a massive drone deployment, signals Russia’s intent to maintain dominance in the east, even as Ukraine mounts counteroffensives elsewhere. The blend of precision weapons like Iskanders with inexpensive drones reflects a hybrid approach that strains Ukraine’s air defenses, already stretched thin by reduced international aid. Ukrainian forces struggle to hold ground in areas like Donetsk, confronting an adversary willing to target civilians to achieve its goals.

Key weapons deployed in the attacks

The Russian offensive showcased a mix of advanced and cost-effective weaponry. Here are the primary tools used:

• Iskander-M missiles: Ballistic, highly accurate, with a range spanning hundreds of kilometers.
• Iskander-K missile: A cruise variant designed for evasive maneuvers and pinpoint strikes.
• Drones: 145 units, likely low-cost models, used to overwhelm air defenses.

This combination enabled Russia to inflict substantial damage, despite Ukraine’s air defenses downing a significant portion of the drones and one missile.

Ongoing pressure and humanitarian challenges

As the war nears its third anniversary, its humanitarian toll remains staggering. The March 8 attacks are the latest in a string of Russian offensives targeting cities and vital infrastructure. In Dobropillia, survivors now face homelessness and disrupted services, while in Kharkiv, the injured strain overburdened hospitals. The loss of emergency equipment, such as the fire truck in Dobropillia, hinders the ability to respond to future crises.

With the conflict showing no signs of abating, Ukrainians live under the constant threat of further strikes. The escalation in Donetsk and Kharkiv underscores Russia’s determination to sustain military pressure amid shifting international support for Ukraine. Images of burning buildings and rescuers amid rubble serve as a bleak reminder of the war’s impact on civilians, trapped in a struggle with no end in sight.