Kherson: 1 killed, 40 injured as Russia strikes city twice in one morning

Russian forces launched two airstrikes against the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine on Saturday, October 17, killing one person and injuring at least 40 civilians according to the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office. Artillery and drone attacks also struck communities across the wider Kherson region.

The first airstrike hit at approximately 4:00 AM local time. Thirty-five residents were wounded, among them a one-month-old infant, an 11-year-old girl, and two medical workers who had come to assist the injured.

Ambulance driver killed in second strike

Less than an hour later, Russian aircraft dropped aerial bombs on the same location. An ambulance driver who had arrived to help victims of the first attack was killed in the second strike. By 5:30 PM local time, the confirmed toll stood at one killed and 40 wounded. Three more residents of surrounding areas were injured in separate shelling and drone attacks.

Kherson has repeatedly come under Russian bombardment since Ukrainian forces recaptured the city in November 2022. The city sits on the western bank of the Dnipro River, directly opposite Russian-occupied territory, making it a frequent target for air, artillery and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and residential areas.