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Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Shopping Center, Cause Casualties
· Confirmed
In Short: The attack on MegaGRINN was part of a larger wave of Ukrainian drone strikes that also targeted a major data center under construction for Russian state lender Sberbank in the Saratov region, causing disruptions to more than 500 flights in Moscow, according to Themoscowtimes.
According to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine), Ukrainian forces conducted a mass drone attack on the MegaGRINN shopping and entertainment complex in Belgorod, Russia, on October 25, when the mall was closed and no visitors were inside. The attack reportedly killed one civilian and injured 14 others, according to Kyivindependent (Ukraine).
Euromaidanpress (Ukraine) reported that the majority of the drones targeted one area in the city center, while ASTRA confirmed the attack on MegaGRINN, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Belgorod, covering about 163,000 square meters.
The Moscow Times reported that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that most of the 493 Ukrainian drones flying toward the region were neutralized, with 180 of them on direct approach to the capital. However, Kyivindependent (Ukraine) reported that the attack caused significant damage and casualties.
Daily Kos noted that MegaGRINN is the largest shopping complex in Belgorod, housing over 200 shops. The outlet also highlighted that Russian forces are intensifying efforts to target Ukrainian data centers and telecommunications infrastructure.
In addition to the attack on MegaGRINN, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russian military and defense industry targets across several regions and occupied territories, including two Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, a radar station, a drone launch facility, an FPV drone training center, the Akhmat unit, and the Snizhne Machine-Building Plant, according to Newsukraine (Ukraine).
Kyivpost (Ukraine) reported that Russian officials reported damage to residential buildings and industrial infrastructure, while authorities in Gorodets introduced restrictions following the reported damage to the data center.
The reported damage to the data center coincided with major disruptions to VKontakte, one of Russia’s largest social networks, according to Daily Kos.
Ukrainian Commander Madiar stated that his unit hit 7,306 Russian troops in the first half of October, up 59% from August, according to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine).
Oleksandr Kalenkov, president of Ukrmetallurgprom, a Ukrainian steel association, told the Kyiv Independent that the recent attacks have likely cost steelmakers close to $100 million.
The Times of Israel reported that a 14-year-old Ukrainian boy with Israeli citizenship was killed in a Russian drone strike on an apartment building in Kyiv on Friday. Anna, a resident whose apartment block was damaged in the strike, said, “Every day, it’s as if you’re living under a gun. Every morning, my alarm clock is an (Iran-made) Shahed drone.”
Background
Ukrainian drones hit a shopping center in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, causing damage and casualties.
While the exact extent of the damage and the number of flights affected varied slightly between reports, all outlets agreed that the Ukrainian missile strike on the electronics plant in Oryol caused significant disruptions at Moscow's main airports.
What's confirmed
- According to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine), Ukrainian forces conducted a mass drone attack on the MegaGRINN shopping and entertainment complex in Belgorod, Russia, on October 25, when the mall was closed and no visitors were inside. The attack reportedly killed one civilian and injured 14 others, according to Kyivindependent (Ukraine).
- Euromaidanpress (Ukraine) reported that the majority of the drones targeted one area in the city center, while ASTRA confirmed the attack on MegaGRINN, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Belgorod, covering about 163,000 square meters.
- The Moscow Times reported that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that most of the 493 Ukrainian drones flying toward the region were neutralized, with 180 of them on direct approach to the capital. However, Kyivindependent (Ukraine) reported that the attack caused significant damage and casualties.
- Daily Kos noted that MegaGRINN is the largest shopping complex in Belgorod, housing over 200 shops. The outlet also highlighted that Russian forces are intensifying efforts to target Ukrainian data centers and telecommunications infrastructure.
- In addition to the attack on MegaGRINN, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russian military and defense industry targets across several regions and occupied territories, including two Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, a radar station, a drone launch facility, an FPV drone training center, the Akhmat unit, and the Snizhne Machine-Building Plant, according to Newsukraine (Ukraine).
- Kyivpost (Ukraine) reported that Russian officials reported damage to residential buildings and industrial infrastructure, while authorities in Gorodets introduced restrictions following the reported damage to the data center.
- The reported damage to the data center coincided with major disruptions to VKontakte, one of Russia’s largest social networks, according to Daily Kos.
- Ukrainian Commander Madiar stated that his unit hit 7,306 Russian troops in the first half of October, up 59% from August, according to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine).
- Oleksandr Kalenkov, president of Ukrmetallurgprom, a Ukrainian steel association, told the Kyiv Independent that the recent attacks have likely cost steelmakers close to $100 million.
What's still developing
- Petersburg Oil Terminal, an Ozon logistics center, a VKontakte data center, a bridge across the Korabelny Fairway, and the Vostochnaya electrical substation.
- A massive swarm of Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian border region of Belgorod overnight on Oct. 25, according to local officials and eyewitness footage posted to social media.
- Key Takeaways Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on September 25 that US President Donald Trump has made a “final decision” to grant Ukraine licenses to produce unspecified types of Patriot air defense systems interceptor missiles.
- Zelenskyy’s warning that Russian airspace is becoming dangerous is proving true: Russia temporarily restricted operations at 27 airports amid a massive drone attack.
- "Diplomacy is important, and these channels need to remain open but diplomacy alone is unlikely to stop Russian attacks," she said.
- Ukraine’s largest steel company, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, said on Sept. 25 that it cannot restart steel production amid a surge in Russian strikes on factories, as the embattled sector calls for more domestic and international support to prevent its total collapse.
- "Russian forces struck the Mykolaiv region in the evening. Four people were killed, including three children. According to preliminary information, two of the children were 11 years old and the third was 12. A store, pharmacy and post office caught fire. Our units are at the site of the attack, establishing all the circumstances," he said.
- "EVERY ONE of our partners has experienced this firsthand when they heard Russia's refusals. And it is crucial to call things what they are. To call the aggressor an aggressor and help Ukraine defend lives." 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events LONDON -- Russian missiles and drones targeted Ukraine overnight, striking civilian infrastructure along with energy facilities, knocking out power for some 550,000 families, Ukrainian officials said.
- In televised comments to Witkoff, Putin announced the first tankers carrying 60,000 tons of Russian diesel would be departing for the U.S. in the next "2 or 3 days."
- The total Russian combat losses from February 24, 2022, to September 12, 2026, are estimated to be: Estimated overall Russian combat losses as of September 12, 2026 (photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) Russia says it is open to resuming peace talks with Ukraine and expects another trilateral meeting with the United States in the near future.
- Such legislation would likely have the two-thirds majorities needed to override a Trump veto. #Ukraine Trump really has no fucking idea what he’s doing. ‼️ Trump considers 200% tariffs on Ukraine and Russia This video shows a Ukrainian drone zeroing in on a truck full of Russian soldiers.