A devastating wave of Russian drone and missile attacks struck the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil on Tuesday night, claiming the lives of over two dozen individuals, among them three children.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the assault led to the deaths of at least 25 people and left 73 others injured. The strike targeted two nine-story residential buildings.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia unleashed more than 470 drones and 48 missiles in the overnight barrage. Rescue teams were on the ground tirelessly working to extract individuals from the rubble and extinguish fires ignited by the attacks.

Photographs from the aftermath depicted shattered windows, the charred facade of one of the residential buildings, and smoke rising as emergency crews endeavored to clear the debris.

In a particularly chilling detail, a Russian Kh-101 missile was documented flying towards and ultimately striking a civilian apartment building in Ternopil during the deadly offensive on November 18, 2025.

Zelenskyy also highlighted that nine additional regions across Ukraine were targeted, with attacks impacting crucial infrastructure and energy facilities in Lviv, as well as civilian structures in Kharkiv.

People look at a residential building heavily damaged after a Russian strike on Ternopil, Ukraine, on Nov. 19, 2025. (Vlad Kravchuk/AP)

“Every brazen attack against ordinary life proves that the pressure on Russia is still insufficient. Effective sanctions and assistance for Ukraine can change this. The top priority is air defense missiles, additional systems, expanded capabilities for our combat aviation, and drone production to protect lives,” he wrote on X.

“Russia must be held accountable for its actions, and we must stay focused on everything that strengthens us and enables us to shoot down Russian missiles, neutralize Russian drones, and stop assaults.”

Rescue workers put out a fire at a residential building damaged by a Russian strike on Ternopil, Ukraine, on Nov. 19, 2025. (Rostyslav Kovalchuk/AP)

Poland’s Operational Command said late Tuesday it had scrambled fighter jets and raised air defense readiness after Russia launched the missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, stressing the measures were preventive and aimed at protecting Polish airspace near the border.